BY LIVINGSTONE MTETWA
“TO say the climate change blueprint in Zimbabwe addresses all the climate change issues in Zimbabwe would be a fallacy. The climate change resilience strategies in Zimbabwe are quite general as they do not address directly situations in different communities,”
These were the opening remarks by Kudzaishe Seti, the Programme Manager of Green Institute Trust during an interface with Chipinge and Chimanimani communities that was held at Protea Lodge in Chipinge town April 24, 2023.
Participants included those from the media, Chipinge Rural District Council, District Development Coordinator’s office, Refugee Coalition for Climate Action (RCCA), Environmental Management Agency (EMA) traditional leadership in the likes of Mutape Muwango and one from Chief Mutambara lineage.
The interface sought to help communities to participate in climate change policy making for the local areas. The organisation was concerned that climate laws in Zimbabwe might not tally with the reality on the ground.
“Climate laws and operational policies in Zimbabwe are created without regard of contextualized authorities. Therefore, Chipinge District will be the first area where we will create a climate change policy that is specific to the District before we move to other districts.
“After the climate change policy is crafted, we will then present it to the local authority for approval. Our aim is to come up with adaptation and mitigation strategies in a localised area,” said Seti.
According to the Director for the Green Institute Trust, Blessing Matasva, climate induced disasters paved way for the birth of the organisation in 2018. It is youth-led and upholds women empowerment projects as it has three gardens in Chipinge supporting around 200 women.
Green Institute is also supported by the Forest Commission which donated bee hives. Above all Green Institute is not involved in politics, but support Government initiatives for development. The Green Institute Trust is operating from Mt Selinda in Chipinge and Masvingo but plan to expand to other parts of the country with time.
Thank you so much for bringing this climate change interface, helping communities to participate in the Climate Change Policy making. In Zimbabwe agriculture becomes the backbone of our economy for many people/families in rural areas survive through farming. Climate change has affected a lot of people, households and poverty has struck the nation due to drought, floods, and most industries were affected. So for Zimbabwe to go back to basics we should adapt to the change and will be the bread-basket again. I really appreciated the work you are doing giving another eye to people inorder to see where we are coming from, where we are and where we are going. Present situation determines our future, and therefore the future becomes sustainable.
Climate change is a bone for everyone to stew because all are affected. Without adapting to Climate change this will cause many conflicts and problem in every area. We are behind you as you move to districts sharing about this policy. We pray for positive results to manifest and for the policy to be approved by the responsible authorities.
May the Lord guide, protect, bless you as you travel to all district. Thank you so much.