Zomba City Council commemorated International Day of Climate Action under the theme, “Collective Action Towards Urban Wellbeing and Resilience to Climate Change.”
The commemoration began with a solidarity event, the “Green and Clean City Parade,” a walk from Matawale Turn-Off to the Botanical Gardens, where various activities were held. Highlights included performances by a cultural troupe from the Malawi Prison Services and the Malawi Defence Force Brass Band.
In his remarks, Zomba City Mayor Councillor Christopher Jana condemned the construction of houses on mountain slopes, hills, and riverbanks, citing these practices as contributing to environmental degradation and violating the Environmental Act. He urged the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) and the Southern Region Water Board (SRWB) to refrain from providing utilities to homes built in these prohibited areas to curb further environmental harm.
The Mayor noted that the Day of Climate Action offered city residents an opportunity to reflect on ways to make Zomba greener and cleaner. He encouraged residents to engage in reforestation efforts by planting trees in deforested areas.
Councillor Jana called for collective responsibility from residents, organizations, and the business community to make Zomba a more sustainable city. He also thanked organizations like Oxfam Malawi, LEAD, and Centenary Bank for their financial support for the event.
“Let’s envision a green and clean Zomba. Let’s come together with a shared vision to transform our city,” Councillor Jana added.
Professor Sosten Chiotha, Board Chairperson of the National Herbarium and Botanical Gardens, praised the Council’s initiative, stating that it would encourage residents to adopt environmentally conscious practices to preserve Zomba. Professor Chiotha, who also serves as the Director of LEAD, advised authorities to avoid allocating plots in protected areas, emphasizing that such practices exacerbate environmental degradation and its adverse effects on communities.
The event saw participation from various stakeholders, including District Commissioner for Zomba, Reinghard Chavula; Senior Chiefs Mlumbe and Malemia; Traditional Authority Mwambo; representatives from the Malawi Defence Force and Malawi Police Service; politicians; and the business community.
