Bulawayo Urban Greening: An interview with the councillor
BULAWAYO – ZDDT recently organised a tree planting demonstration in Ward 25, Nketa 7 Township. The area is presided over by Cllr. Edward Ndlovu. This event marked part of the launch of the Trust’s Bulawayo Urban Greening Campaign and was attended by representatives, in the form of Councillors and CAT members, from the City’s 29 Wards.
Field Correspondent Lewis Jones used the occasion as an opportunity to hold an interview with Cllr. Ndlovu. Below is an account of the interview:
Lewis Jones: Councillor, it is sad to witness the deterioration that has occurred in this area which used to be a beautiful park, where residents could relax and enjoy various forms of entertainment. What has actually happened here?
Cllr. Ndlovu: The Bulawayo City Council, like every other local authority in the Country, was not spared from the adverse effects of the national economic melt-down that has occurred over the past decade. As a result, prioritisation of service delivery, in terms of available resources had to be considered. Unfortunately parks became the victims of that decision.
Lewis Jones: Are there plans to revive this park?
Cllr. Ndlovu: Absolutely. The exercise will essentially be a community initiative. It is intended that on its completion, flower beds, new lawns and trees would have been planted. The plan includes construction of an open stage beneath the park’s single tower light, where residents will be able to enjoy various activities such as dramas and carol singing, particularly during the Christmas Season.
Lewis Jones: What is being done in order to achieve that end?
Cllr. Ndlovu: As you can see, we have begun with a clean up of the area, in which litter, weeds and unwanted bushes have been removed. It is envisaged that the rest of the plan will be implemented in phases, depending of course, upon availability of resources to carry out the required work.
Lewis Jones: How do you intend to carry out the work?
Cllr. Ndlovu: All work will be conducted on a voluntary basis. I and the Ward’s Community Action Team (CAT) shall be motivating residents to come and assist. Already, as is evidenced by the occasion, we are cooperating with ZDDT in this tree planting demonstration in our park. We are also liaising with the City’s Parks Nursery, in the hope that they could provide us with saplings, shrubs and flowers in order for the project to be a success. The proposed stage’s design and construction will be done voluntarily by residents and skilled artisans from among the Ward’s populace.
Lewis Jones: In your opinion, how do you suppose the Trust’s Urban Greening Campaign, of which this tree planting demonstration is a part, will assist in the achievement of your park resuscitation plans?
Cllr. Ndlovu: It will go, and has already gone a considerable way. Over the past 18 months, a relationship of trust and commitment has been established between Councillors, with their communities and ZDDT. I have no reason to doubt a strengthening of these relations and am certain that residents and I can count on continued support from the Trust. Perhaps this would be an opportune time to extend my deep gratitude and that of Ward 25 residents, to ZDDT and the appropriate funders for the kind gesture they have shown in making this occasion possible. (ZDDT implements the Urban Greening Campaign, while the programme is funded by international humanitarian agency, GTZ/BMZ together with the German Government..)
Lewis Jones: How do you plan to sustain that which has been established here today and what measures will you take in order to ensure the “After Care” of trees that have been planted?
Cllr. Ndlovu: Firstly, with training acquired from the Trust by the Ward CAT and myself including community leaders of the other Wards in Bulawayo, it is intended to, in turn, educate residents about the importance of taking ownership over projects such as this. As a result the community is bound to take pride in these and thereby protect them. Ward 25 Environment Secretary, Aleck Ndlovu has been tasked to ensure that the young trees are regularly watered and protected from fire or vandalism over the next two years. After that, there is a good chance that the plants should be able to survive on their own. In the case of “After Care,” we will be cooperating very closely with providers of the saplings, Brian Williams, his wife Lene and assistants from Huntsman Nurseries at Turk Mine. We trust that they will provide the necessary advice and support concerning the care Programme.