Vendors Adopt Self-Policing
- Written by: Gary Howes
Bulawayo – The recent voluntary cleanup exercise, which was carried out in the city centre and attended by several civic organisations and helpers, resolved to self-police vending and informal traders.
The event, that was partnered by ZDDT and SWITA, drew the attention of a large number of participants, and followed the unique performance by Amazing Stars Arts Academy which was entertaining the crowd courtesy of Sebenzela-Shandira Zimbabwe, the slogan portraying the Zimbabwe Development Democracy Trust’s ideology of self-motivation and community participation.
SWITA, Street Wise Informal Traders Association, has recently been formed as a more proactive and community responsible representative group.
Also contributing to the anti-litter campaign were the Bulawayo Vendors Traders Association, (BVTA) and Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Associations, (ZCIEA).
BVTA’s Michael Ndiweni, applauded all vendors who were present and told them that the time for self-regulation on desisting from littering was now. “We are, as from today, declaring that anyone found littering will be fined and punished,” he said amid roaring applause from the crowd.
His sentiments were echoed by SWITA’s leader, Edward Manning, who warned the people gathered that they face the wrath of the law as experienced in past history and finished by adding, “Lest we forget and also avoid littering.”
Amazing Stars theatre group also scored an important goal by delivering the anti-litter message through drama and highlighted the negative effects of dumping litter as the main theme of their act on the day. The significance of the drama reached hundred’s of people who gathered to watch the group in action at the vending mall.
ZDDT’s M&E Officer, Gardner Ndlovu, thanked the vendors and the public for their participation in the cleanup campaign that also drew the communities from around Bulawayo.