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Marvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
SCHOOLS from Gwanda District-Mtshabezi and Gwanda high schools – are this year’s Matabeleland South Provincial champions in the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) schools’ debate with optimism high that the national champions would again this year be from the province. The debate which was held last week at St Christopher’s Primary School saw the two winning schools walking away with championship shields. They will represent Matabeleland South province in the regional competitions expected to be held this week at a venue to be advised.

The schools debated on the topic “Environmental prosecution and not environmental education is the best way to reduce veld fires in Zimbabwe.”
On the affirmative side were five schools of which Mtshabezi High (Gwanda) took the first position followed by Empandeni (Mangwe) with Umzingwane landing third position. Thekwane (Bulilima) and Wanezi (Insiza) were fourth and fifth position respectively. Six schools battled it out on the non-affirmative side.

Reigning national champions, Gwanda High, came first on the non-affirmative side followed by Swazi (Umzingwane) on second position while Minda (Matobo) came third. On fourth position was Solusi (Bulilima) followed by Filabusi (Insiza) on fifth and Bulu (Mangwe) sixth position.

Charming Dube from Mtshabezi High School was named the best speaker. Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) acting Matabeleland South regional director Zamani Mzaca, who was guest of honour at the debate, commended participants for being widely researched.

He encouraged school pupils to take the lead in educating the communities on the need to conserve the environment to complement efforts by EMA and others.
“Our environment in Zimbabwe is under threat especially from veld fires and it is up to you as students to use the weapon of environmental education.
“We are going to leave this environment to you, so take care of it. The future is in your hands,” he said.