MUSIC, community engagement and environmental stewardship came together at Cashel Estate in Chimanimani as Timcon Africa and Allied Timbers Zimbabwe staged another successful edition of their veld fire awareness campaign.
The initiative, held on July 24, transformed the picturesque timber estate into a vibrant platform where entertainment blended with environmental education, drawing government officials, conservation agencies, community members and industry players in a united call to protect Zimbabwe’s forests.
“Our campaign is about inspiring people to see environmental conservation as a shared responsibility,” said Timcon Africa chief executive Gift Mahlupeka.
Among those in attendance were Deputy Minister of Transport and Cabinet Deputy Chairperson for Environment Joshua Sacco, representatives from the Forestry Commission, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and the Timber Processors Federation of Zimbabwe.
“When businesses, government institutions and local communities work together, we not only reduce the devastating impact of veld fires but also preserve the forests, wildlife and tourism destinations that are part of Zimbabwe’s natural heritage,” Mahlupeka, also a musician of note, said.
The Cashel campaign followed equally successful awareness programmes held at Pork Pie and the iconic Bridal Veil Falls in Chimanimani, where local communities received practical demonstrations on veld fire prevention and explored the crucial role they play in preserving the region’s forests and tourism attractions.
Organisers said the campaign forms part of a broader drive to promote environmental responsibility while encouraging sustainable tourism in some of Manicaland’s most treasured natural landscapes.