Thursday 19 June will go down is history as a memorable day in Victoria Falls after more than 20 primary and secondary schools converged on Chinotimba Community Hall for an inaugural Ramsar Schools Competition organised by the City.
The event was organised as part of pre-COP15 activities following conferment of Ramsar Wetland City Accreditation status by the
Ramsar is a convention of member countries that are members of the United Nations from all the world’s geographic regions and have acceded to become Contracting Parties.
The Convention was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975, making an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
Zimbabwe is a contracting party and will be hosting Ramsar meeting of Conference of Contracting Parties number 15, CoP15 in Victoria Falls from 23 to 31 July 20 25.
After receiving the Ramsar Wetland City status, the City decided to raise awareness among residents.
Engagements started with meeting with various stakeholders including informal traders and the business community before the schools’ competitions.
Learners competed in debate, poetry, quiz and speech.
Junior Mayor Panashe Mutambirwa gave welcome remarks while Deputy Junior Mayor Eltonia Ndlovu gave closing remarks before they both joined the City’s Deputy Mayor Councillor Lungile Nyoni and Cllr Priscilla Mhlanga to officiate at the prize giving ceremony.
In his remarks,
“Victoria Falls is honoured to be recognised as a Ramsar Wetland City. Our wetlands are more than just beautiful landscapes; they are vital ecosystems that support biodiversity, purify water, and protect us from floods. The speeches, debate, quiz and poems affirm that the future of our wetlands is in capable hands.
“Let us leave here inspired to nurture our wetlands, share what we have learned and work together towards a greener, more sustainable Victoria Falls,” he said.
Last modified: July 10, 2025
