“Unfortunately, it now serves as our primary source of income,” says Mpala. Mbonisi Mpala, (34), a brick maker, does not deny that their actions were destroying the ecosystem.ĪLSO READ: Hwange's Rapid Desertification An Environmental Concern The Hwange district has been enduring recurrent droughts (including mid-season droughts) between 20, and these events, along with other extreme climatic phenomena, are anticipated to continue.Īlthough these conditions will vary geographically across the region, the region is expected to continue to experience high warming, dryness, and climatic extremes.įaced with climate change induced drought, young men from rural Hwange are moving into town to make ends meet including through illegal brick making business.īut there are concerns that the type of business was causing land degradation and extensive deforestation as the brick makers leave open pits after harvesting soil needed for their enterprise. The already vulnerable and underprivileged groups who depend on climate-sensitive sources of income such as agriculture and natural systems, would be severely harmed by this, the report says.įor the majority of region 4 and region 5 as well as other regions, climate experts forecast less rainfall and greater rainfall variability. The strain is increasing on young people and middle-aged males because rural communities lack the means and resources to execute the multiple potential optimal adaptation options at their disposal.Īccording to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), increased warmth and drying in Africa may have an impact on agriculture by cutting crop yields by nearly half from 2020 and beyond. The majority of brick making businesses are illegal.Ī survey by this publication reveals that communal farmers in Hwange district are still not able to adapt to climate change due to a variety of reasons, including limited access to knowledge and options for adaptation. I decided to relocate to town.brick making is now sustaining us.” “To provide for my family, I could not wait for donations from organisations. “The poor harvests made life in the countryside difficult,” says Mhlanga. Mhlanga claims that since he left his rural home five years ago, brickmaking has sustained his life. They use sewage that has built up due to ruptured sewer pipes as their source of water. HWANGE ( The Citizen Bulletin) - Arnold Mhlanga (28) is waist deep in a dug out pit mixing sand and water to make bricks.

Lack of employment opportunities for young and middle aged people are a driving force behind illegal brick making which is destroying Hwange’s environment.īY CALVIN MANIKA | | This email address is being protected from spambots. Faced with climate change induced drought, young men from rural Hwange venture into illegal brick making businesses to make ends meet.

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