Zimbabwe’s artists to establish educative environmental art wall 

Local environmental artists in Harare are working on an initiative to establish an environmental art wall at Borrowdale suburban area.

According to Miracle Missions Trust, a picture mosaic is being developed by a group of environmental artists with an aim of communicating environmental messages.

It is reported that the initiative is being led by Miracle Missions Trusts The initiative is also reported to be part of the World Environment Day celebrations. The picture mosaic will also be made using recycled waste. The World Environment Day is commemorated on the 5^th of June each year.

 It is reported that the Pomona Dumpsite in Harare has suffered several major fires in 2013, 2016 and 2020, creating both an environmental and health hazard to residents of the city of Harare and its close environs. 

  It is added that a fire prevention team has been set up and it is believed that the Pomona Mosaic Art wall will create an environmental awareness of the dangers of burning waste and play a part in reducing waste at Pomona. It is also anticipated that the initiative will encourage citizens to adopt a circular economy. 

  According to Sharon Hook, a Trustee at Miracle Missions Trust in a presentation on practicing waste management in communities to achieve a circular economy, a circular economy is a model of consumption that focuses on the extension of a product’s life through reducing, reusing, repairing, recycling existing materials.

     “Through this way, the demand of new products and waste production is reduced from our environment. Communities can make a difference by practicing the principles of waste management which are reducing, reusing, recycling, repairing and recovering,” Hook said.

 Chris Whyte, a Specialist Consultant at Chris Whyte and Associates and Executive Member and Country Leader for South Africa for the African Circular Economy Network in a presentation on transitioning to a circular economy where waste is a resource and not just about recycling, said that there is a need to change communities’ thinking to understand the impacts and outcomes of waste as a resource.  He said that there is need to change the narrative where waste can be used as a resource that delivers benefits such as social upliftment, skills development, economic development, energy, water and wastewater, infrastructure and housing, manufacturing, food security and climate change mitigation. 

 The initiative will involve the collaboration of seven artists and three student artists.

  It is also expected to be an opportunity for high school environmental and art departments to develop a panel on climate change for the Pomona Art Wall, a garden competition to design and develop a section of the 190 metre pathway, developing a safe bus stop for all going to Hatcliffe, Domboshowa and beyond. It is reported that artists will make recycled dustbins, benches and plant holders, piloting a cycle track inspired to link two cycle tracks.

  The goals of the initiative are to use art to inspire and educate communities about the dangers of burning waste and the importance of a circular economy and reducing waste to landfills; bringing communities together in a city project to make a difference in Harare dubbed the Sunshine City; creating an opportunity for artists and students to share their talents; earn some income during the hardships caused by Covid-19 and opening doors for other similar projects; raising public awareness of the principles of waste management and supporting the “Green Initiative” launched in Zimbabwe and sharing the vision of being  a world class city. 

 According to Miracle Missions, the partners in the initiative include the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and the City of Harare.