By Yvonne T. Buzwane

Madlambudzi, Bulilima | 22 Mbudzi 2025

The environmental situation in Madlambudzi Rural Service Centre is emerging as a quiet but serious concern, with residents warning that unmanaged waste is beginning to threaten both public health and the water sources the community hopes to depend on. During the recent consultative visit by the Bulilima WASH Committee, one resident raised the issue of indiscriminate dumping, noting that the settlement has no designated refuse-disposal site, a situation that has led to waste accumulating in open spaces and along pathways.

Residents said the problem has slowly grown alongside the expansion of businesses and the increasing population, yet waste-management infrastructure has not kept pace. With no structured collection system or designated dumping area, people have been left with no choice but to dispose of waste wherever they can. “We cannot keep dumping waste anywhere we find space. It is already affecting our surroundings, and if we don’t get a proper dumpsite soon, it will create health problems for our children. We need a clean and organised community,” said one Madlambudzi resident who preferred to be called Baka Judy, The Senior Resident.

Others expressed fear that unmanaged waste could eventually threaten Madlambudzi Dam, one of the long-term water sources currently being explored, and that the situation requires immediate attention. “At the moment, garbage is being generated and disposed of wrongly, and this needs urgent action. As we plan ahead for a proper dumpsite, we really need the authorities and the community to work together before the situation gets worse, as rubble and other waste is dumped haphazardly,” said another resident during the meeting.

Members of the WASH Committee acknowledged the concerns and noted that environmental management cannot be separated from water and sanitation development. They stressed that even if solutions for water supply are secured, progress would be undermined if waste continues to contaminate the environment. For Madlambudzi to fully function as a rural service centre, the Committee said the settlement will need a clear waste-management plan with proper refuse sites, community awareness programmes, and enforcement of environmental regulations.

Residents were encouraged to work together with the Environmental Health Technician (EHT) through their existing committee structures to begin identifying temporary measures while longer-term systems are being developed. Community members also emphasized the need for public education on responsible waste disposal, particularly as businesses continue to expand and generate more waste.

As planning continues, both residents and district authorities agreed that protecting the environment is essential for safeguarding the health and sustainability of Madlambudzi. The discussion closed with a shared understanding that the waste-management issue must be addressed alongside ongoing water-supply efforts if the settlement is to achieve meaningful and lasting development.

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