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By Tiny Sibanda
Midlands State University hosted a joint National Fire Week Launch and World Environment Day commemoration at Gwenhoro Farm in Gweru on 9 June 2026, bringing together students, traditional leaders, government officials, law enforcement agencies and community members to promote veld fire prevention and environmental conservation through awareness campaigns, tree planting and practical demonstrations.
The event, organised by the Faculty of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Management, focused on sustainable land management and the protection of natural ecosystems.
Delivering the opening address on behalf of the MSU Vice Chancellor, Professor V.N. Muzvidziwa, the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Management, Professor C. Parwada, highlighted the urgency of collective environmental stewardship.
“We have gathered here to raise awareness and educate one another on land preservation and the grave dangers posed by uncontrolled veld fires,” Professor Parwada stated.
Technical expertise on ecological protection was shared by the Provincial Manager of the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), Mr. B. Bhasera, who detailed the severe socio-economic impact of uncontrolled fires on biodiversity and rural livelihoods.
“Veld fires not only destroy our precious biodiversity but also directly threaten human livelihoods; it is our collective duty to act responsibly and prevent these incidents entirely,” Mr. Bhasera noted.
Reinforcing this message from a legal perspective, Superintendent B. Zamba of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Gweru Rural Administration outlined the legislative frameworks designed to enforce land preservation and hold negligent parties accountable.
“As law enforcers, we remind the public that everyone has an active role in managing our lands to prevent destruction, and compliance with environmental laws is essential for long-term protection,” Superintendent Zamba emphasised.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Midlands, Honourable O. Ncube, the Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr. E. Seenza, applauded the University’s active community engagement and reiterated the government's strong backing for grassroots educational campaigns that advance sustainable environmental management.
“Having an institution like MSU actively embedded within the community guarantees the safety and enlightenment of our people, as they are continuously empowered with practical, life-saving knowledge,” Dr. Seenza remarked.
The commemoration featured highly interactive segments, including tree-planting initiatives and live fire-fighting demonstrations, which allowed local farmers and community members to share insights and master practical veld fire management strategies.
Concluding the event with a strong call for enduring collaboration between academia, local authorities, and traditional leadership, Chief J. Sayi of Somabhula expressed deep gratitude for the University’s impactful outreach.
“We thank Midlands State University for equipping us with the knowledge to build and create sustainable wealth from our land rather than destroying it,” Chief Sayi stated.
The programme concluded with a renewed commitment by Midlands State University and its partners to strengthen environmental education and sustainable resource management.
In preparation for the 2026 fire season, the Environmental Management Agency conducted a fire risk assessment to identify high-risk zones across the country.
The assessment indicates that 41.93 percent of the country is at high risk, 31.95 percent at medium risk, and 11.69 percent at extreme risk of veld fires.
Provinces along the Highveld, namely Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Manicaland, and Midlands, remain the most susceptible to veld fires.
The 2026 veld fire prediction indicates that areas at extreme risk have expanded into zones that were traditionally classified as medium risk.
The event, organised by the Faculty of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Management, focused on sustainable land management and the protection of natural ecosystems.
Delivering the opening address on behalf of the MSU Vice Chancellor, Professor V.N. Muzvidziwa, the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Management, Professor C. Parwada, highlighted the urgency of collective environmental stewardship.
“We have gathered here to raise awareness and educate one another on land preservation and the grave dangers posed by uncontrolled veld fires,” Professor Parwada stated.
Technical expertise on ecological protection was shared by the Provincial Manager of the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), Mr. B. Bhasera, who detailed the severe socio-economic impact of uncontrolled fires on biodiversity and rural livelihoods.
“Veld fires not only destroy our precious biodiversity but also directly threaten human livelihoods; it is our collective duty to act responsibly and prevent these incidents entirely,” Mr. Bhasera noted.
Reinforcing this message from a legal perspective, Superintendent B. Zamba of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Gweru Rural Administration outlined the legislative frameworks designed to enforce land preservation and hold negligent parties accountable.
“As law enforcers, we remind the public that everyone has an active role in managing our lands to prevent destruction, and compliance with environmental laws is essential for long-term protection,” Superintendent Zamba emphasised.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Midlands, Honourable O. Ncube, the Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr. E. Seenza, applauded the University’s active community engagement and reiterated the government's strong backing for grassroots educational campaigns that advance sustainable environmental management.
“Having an institution like MSU actively embedded within the community guarantees the safety and enlightenment of our people, as they are continuously empowered with practical, life-saving knowledge,” Dr. Seenza remarked.
The commemoration featured highly interactive segments, including tree-planting initiatives and live fire-fighting demonstrations, which allowed local farmers and community members to share insights and master practical veld fire management strategies.
Concluding the event with a strong call for enduring collaboration between academia, local authorities, and traditional leadership, Chief J. Sayi of Somabhula expressed deep gratitude for the University’s impactful outreach.
“We thank Midlands State University for equipping us with the knowledge to build and create sustainable wealth from our land rather than destroying it,” Chief Sayi stated.
The programme concluded with a renewed commitment by Midlands State University and its partners to strengthen environmental education and sustainable resource management.
In preparation for the 2026 fire season, the Environmental Management Agency conducted a fire risk assessment to identify high-risk zones across the country.
The assessment indicates that 41.93 percent of the country is at high risk, 31.95 percent at medium risk, and 11.69 percent at extreme risk of veld fires.
Provinces along the Highveld, namely Mashonaland West, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Manicaland, and Midlands, remain the most susceptible to veld fires.
The 2026 veld fire prediction indicates that areas at extreme risk have expanded into zones that were traditionally classified as medium risk.
Published
June 10, 2026 at 9:00 AM
