Minister Charles Tavengwa
By Dickson Bandera
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) today officially launched the 2025 National Fire Week at the Harare International Conference Centre, bringing together a wide cross-section of Zimbabwean society under the theme “Prevent Veld Fires – Protect Our Environment.”
Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife Hon Evelyn Ndlovu was the guest of honour.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Harare Metropolitan Province Hon. Charles Tavengwa, speaking through a representative, delivered a stern call for collective action against the growing menace of veld fires, which continue to devastate the country’s environment, economy, and rural livelihoods.
“Each year, our country loses close to a million hectares to veld fires,” said Tavengwa. “This is not just an environmental issue but a national concern. It affects our food security, our forests, our wildlife, and the communities who depend on natural resources for their survival.”
Minister Tavengwa noted that this year’s abundant rainfall has significantly increased vegetation growth, thereby escalating the risk of veld fires. He emphasized the need for early, coordinated, and community-driven responses to mitigate fire hazards.
The event, which drew students, chiefs, parliamentarians, police, government officials, parastatals, and environmental stakeholders, served as both a launchpad for public awareness campaigns and a forum for evaluating past fire prevention efforts.
Hon Tavengwa highlighted the proactive measures taken by the Harare Metropolitan Province, including the establishment of fire guards at high-risk areas such as Kutsaga Research Station, the University of Zimbabwe, Haka Game Park, and Mukuvisi Woodlands. He stressed that such localised initiatives must be scaled nationwide.
Acknowledging traditional leaders present at the indaba, the Minister called on them to intensify grassroots awareness and enforcement. “You are the custodians of our land and the first line of defence in the fight against veld fires,” he said.
Echoing the government’s “Whole-of-Government, Whole-of-Society” approach, Tavengwa urged every Zimbabwean to take personal responsibility for environmental protection. “The country we aspire to is one free from destructive fires. The responsibility starts with me, with you, with all of us,” he said.
The National Fire Week campaign is expected to roll out across provinces with educational drives, community mobilization efforts, and intensified enforcement of fire safety regulations.
