Your Health - Your Territory

 The waste left by Shabanie mine during their mining activities of asbestos in Zvishavane poses a danger to both people and the environment.  In an interview with, Dr. Thomas Dzvinamurungu who is a lecturer at Midlands State University Zvishavane campus in the geology department stated that, “the waste that was left by Shabanie mine during their mining activities of asbestos obtain a hazardous effect to people living around that area”. These waste poses negative effects to people through that it can led to cause diseases such as asbestosis, which comes from that asbestos waste and also silicosis from blasting dusts, he said.  He further lamented, “there is also acid drainage water which is caused by soil erosion”. This acid waters are toxic to both plants and human, whereby it can lead to crop failure destroying the fertility of the soil.  Dr. Thomas Dzvinamurungu further illustrated, “these waste can also affect the environment through that there will be an ugly la...

 Water crisis has become a norm in Zvishavane particularly in Maglas and Novelvale residence where the majority of Midlands state university resides.  In an interview with Takudzwa karumbi (22) who is a student at Midlands State University leaving off residence near university residence, Chrysotile said, “l choose to stay off residence not knowing that it’s just the same water crisis has been a biggest challenge in Novelvale suburb”. I am forced to go to car wash early morning around 5:45am for me to fetch water for my bath so that l will be on campus on time to catch up for my lectures on time, he said.  He further illustrated, “l tried talking with my landlord about this issue of water crisis, but the landlord promised me that at end of the month he is will buy a jojo tank but he never did”.  Lloyd Napara (22) is another student from MSU staying in Novelvale who lamented that, water has been a biggest challenge ever since l started my level 1:1 in 2022. We end up b...

 Mining of lithium in Zvishavane have posed a great threat to people and the environment also continues to suffer land degradation annually.  Living in close proximity to lithium mining areas can have several negative impacts which include air and water pollution, noise and vibrations, and also health concerns.  According to Bethel Nyado, one of the residents in Manjere “I relocated from Novelvale to Manjere because of the noise and vibrations which occured during day and night of lithium workers operating their machinery, breaking stones into smaller elements”. This really affected my peace during the night when l wanted to sleep, she said.  Tendai Nhamo (33) who is one of the workers in the Lithuim mining, further illustrated, “l now have respiratory problem, which was caused by dust and pollutants released during the breaking of stones into small elements which is carriable by trucks, l went to the hospital and they give me pills and the doctor encourages me to s...

 Illegal gold miners in Zvishavane poses a great hazardous to the environment and human lives through their mining activities which has led to land degradation and dilapidation of roads.  Illegal gold miners/ “Makorokoza” have brought more harm than good both to people and the environment through their illegal and unskilled mining activities in Zvishavane, particularly in Novelvale. This has really affected the environmental health through that there is land degradation, noise , water and air pollution.  According to Talent Mapuya (35), a small scaled farmer in Manjere, “illegal gold miners knowingly caused land degradation in my garden near the river following their belt in search of gold”. “I was forced to relocate my garden elsewhere to avoid engaging in a fight with them, but this really affected my production as a small-scale farmer because l had to replant vegetables, tomatoes and onions. I am pleading with the police in Zvishavane to action on how to ban illegal mi...