Geo Science Students Conduct Cleaning Exercise at Mpondabwino Market

Members of Geo Science Society, which is a group of students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Geology and Bachelor of Science in Geography at the University of Malawi (UNIMA), have taken their environmental awareness efforts beyond the classroom by conducting a cleaning exercise at Mpondabwino Market in Zomba.

The exercise, held on 7 November 2026, involved collecting waste scattered across different sections of the market.

Through the initiative, the students aimed to improve sanitation at the market while encouraging vendors to adopt responsible waste-disposal practices and take an active role in maintaining a clean trading environment.

In addition to the cleaning exercise, the students engaged market leaders to understand some of the challenges affecting proper waste management and explore possible ways of sustaining cleanliness at the market.

Speaking during the exercise, Vice Chairperson of Mpondabwino market Mr Grant Ndawu, identified inconsistent waste collection as one of the major challenges facing the market.

“Delays in waste collection often result in the accumulation of rubbish around designated bins, which contributes to poor sanitation. Keeping the market clean should not be the responsibility of waste collectors alone, but should involve collective effort from vendors and all market users,” he said.

He also expressed concern over the lack of cooperation among some vendors, noting that some dispose of waste carelessly instead of using designated disposal points.

The cleaning exercise forms part of the students' community engagement efforts aimed at addressing environmental challenges.

Through the initiative, members of the Geo Science Society are calling on young people and all Malawians to take responsibility for their surroundings by adopting proper waste-disposal practices and actively participating in keeping their communities clean.