Moses Magadza
The sun is blazing mercilessly over Mbire, one of the hottest corners of Zimbabwe, but Mamera Kadzingatsayi is already at the venue, seated quietly with a notebook and pen in hand.
The Parliament of Zimbabwe, with support from Sweden under the SRHR, HIV and AIDS Governance project of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, has gone to the people. Kadzingatsayi is among the first to arrive for one of the last public hearings on the proposed Climate Change Management Bill.
The heat is unforgiving, yet he is undeterred. He wants to understand every word. Every clause. Every intention of this bill.
Kadzingatsayi, who lives with albinism, is representing the Zimbabwe People with Disability Trust. As the proceedings begin, he listens intently, occasionally bringing his notebook remarkably close to his eyes to take notes – his determination shining brighter than the scorching Mbire sun.
For him, this bill is not just another piece of legislation; it is a potential lifeline for people with disabilities whose daily realities are being reshaped by climate change.
In an interview on the sidelines of the public hearing, he explains that people living with disabilities are facing “increased vulnerability to extreme weather events”, from heatwaves that trigger health crises to floods that isolate communities.
“There is limited access to emergency services and inadequate infrastructure,” he says, adding that even shelters designed for disaster response are often inaccessible. The consequences, he notes, are dire.
“We face heat stress, respiratory illnesses, and social isolation,” he states.
Kadzingatsayi is not just highlighting problems. He is articulating the systemic barriers that deepen exclusion.
“Physical inaccessibility, lack of accessible information, insufficient funding, and limited participation in decision-making are the real barriers,” he says, his tone steady but firm.
He points out gaps in existing frameworks.
“There are inadequate disability-inclusive climate policies, limited data on the climate-disability nexus, and not enough training for emergency responders,” he says.
He believes these gaps leave people with disabilities unseen and unprotected in climate planning.
Kadzingatsayi recommends practical steps that Parliament can take to ensure inclusion.
“We need accessible climate information, inclusive early warning systems, and evacuation routes that consider people with disabilities,” he stresses.
He adds, “Climate financing must be disability-sensitive, and consultations should include disability organisations.”
He also stresses the importance of education and training.
“We must promote climate change and Earth stewardship, sustainability, agriculture transformation, and the principles of ecological integrity,” he says, adding, “People must understand biodegradable pollutants, waste management, natural resource availability, and the impact of degradation.”
As the day wears on and the sun sinks behind the hills of Mbire, Kadzingatsayi is still there, his notes now filling several pages. His presence, perseverance and passion are a reminder that climate justice is incomplete without disability inclusion.
In his words and actions, he is making one thing clear: climate change is affecting everyone, but it is not affecting everyone equally. Unless the new Climate Change Bill speaks to people like him – those most exposed, least protected, and rarely consulted – it risks leaving behind a community that has already waited too long to be seen.
As the interview ends, he offers his written submission, which is passed on to the Committee Clerk, John Mazani, for consideration.
They point to mounting climate and environmental pressures and worsening environmental conditions in the Zambezi Valley.
In the written submission, Kadzingatsayi says the Zambezi Valley, which includes Mbire, Muzarabani, Kariba, Nyaminyami, Hurungwe, and Binga, is facing multiple, interlinked crises driven by climate change and unsustainable land use.
“The frequency of droughts has increased, temperatures are rising, and rainfall patterns are changing,” he observes, adding that these shifts have led to recurrent crop failures, livestock losses, and more severe floods.
He explains that the valley’s once fertile soils are losing productivity due to deforestation, poor land management, and over-cultivation.
“We have lost significant forest cover as people clear land for agriculture and firewood. The result is soil erosion and land degradation,” he says.
Kadzingatsayi also warns of growing water scarcity.
“Water resources in the Zambezi Valley are limited and under severe pressure,” he says, citing pollution from agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and domestic effluent as further threats to water quality.
Turning to wildlife, he laments rampant poaching and habitat destruction.
“The Zambezi Valley is rich in biodiversity, yet our national parks and wildlife reserves are under constant threat,” he says, urging stronger law enforcement and community-based conservation measures.
On the energy front, Kadzingatsayi notes that heavy dependence on fossil fuels continues to drive greenhouse gas emissions, while mining operations have compounded environmental degradation through pollution, deforestation, and habitat loss.
He says the combined impacts of climate change and poor land-use practices were undermining food security.
“Farmers are experiencing reduced yields and declining soil fertility, which directly affects household nutrition and income,” he adds.
Kadzingatsayi points to ongoing regional efforts such as the Zambezi Valley Development Initiative (ZVDI) and the SADC Regional Environmental Strategy as important frameworks to promote sustainable development and conservation.
However, he urges parliament to ensure that the proposed Climate Change Bill provides stronger legal mechanisms to safeguard ecosystems and livelihoods in vulnerable districts like Mbire.
“The Zambezi Valley is at the frontline of climate impacts. This bill must offer practical solutions that protect both people and the environment,” he concludes.
*Moses Magadza is the media and communications manager at the SADC Parliamentary Forum.
Caption
Photo 1 – Mamera Kadzingatsayi takes notes during a public hearing on the proposed Climate Change Bill in Mbire, Zimbabwe.
Photo 2 – Some of the residents of Mbire disperse after a public hearing on the proposed Climate Change Bill.
Photo 3 – People gather around a water point in Mbire, one of the driest parts of Zimbabwe.
- Photos: Moses Magadza, SADC PF
