Crowhill, Hogerty Hill residents light up their streets

It is dark, it is  really dark in our streets. Very few residents have the privilege of having street lighting anymore.

Fungai Muchemwa Suburban Correspondent

As a young man I remember being able to walk in certain neighbourhoods like Greystone Park and Glen View at the wee hours of the evening and there was perfectly good lighting. Granted the streets were a little more safer back then, visits to friends houses and even ad hoc young men’s meetings took place after supper times. Lets not even talk about the bike riding.

The Hogerty Hill and Crowhill Community have come together in a bid to light up their streets.  Residents have managed to install 20 street lights, powered by solar so far. Aside from the dark, almost horror like tree tunnels that hang over some of their streets, which are absolutely beautiful by the way, the community is aware what dangers are poised by the darkness.

There have been incidents where community members have been accosted due to the darkness. Some of those who work in the community have reported having their bags snatched and even attempts of rape. Such activities are not acceptable and to curb such instances, street lighting was identified as important.

The initial idea is to get each household to purchase a street light and have it strategically placed on the street in a dark zone. The difference it makes to the streets is astounding and with time a household may add a light or two to get more cover and lighting on the street. The community has come to the realisation that no one is coming to put lighting for them.

An article in The Herald in 2020 alluded to this with one comment, “It is strange that residents are so naïve, they know they are getting the short end of the stick but they complain while repeating the same mistakes of voting useless people into council,” said  Mr Bernard Chiripanyanga, taxi driver.

And so four years down the line the saga continues with nothing substantial being done.

Major roads like the Airport Road recently received a boost as street lighting rehabilitation along with road works took place. It is the wish of Harare residents to see these continuous improvements continue into the future regardless of national events.

It should just be in the nature of the responsible authorities to create a culture of continuous improvement and maintenance of road and lighting infrastructure. Commentary from women’s rights activists expressed joy at the lighting stressing the importance of safety and reduction to abuse of women and girls.

Founder of Shamwari yeMwanasikana director Ekenia Chifamba had this to say: “Improved lighting is critical for ending harassment and other forms of violence against women and girls in public spaces.”

What has become apparent is the works seem to be more focused on major roads and the central business district thus as for neighbourhoods and communities the onus is on the residents to do something for themselves.

Community is very important and for all good intents and purposes coming together on such projects cements the community spirit and unity. Hogerty Hill and Crowhill have led the way and it would be good to see other communities throughout Harare come together and push forward such initiatives. We must never forget, TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER. UBUNTU.

 

Fungai Muchemwa is available to consult and assist any communities keen to Light Up Their Streets – 0774111740