The Final Stop on An Unbelievable Journey: the Growing #PlasticRevolution Movement in Mwanza
Written by Davina Ngei and Mick Warwick
The Flipflopi on Lake Victoria in Mwanza | Credit: Daniel Msirikale
On 28th March, Flipflopi came to the end of her three-week sailing expedition around Lake Victoria, dropping anchor on its south-eastern shore in Tanzania’s second city - Mwanza.
Bismarck rock | Credit: Mick Warwick
With gigantic rocks jutting out of the lake and hillsides, balancing one on top of the other seemingly defying gravity, Mwanza (the “rock city”) took our breath away as we arrived.
But as we admired the beautiful topography of this city, we understood that what lies beneath the water’s surface is equally as important.
In 2015, researchers released the first evidence of microplastics in the African Great Lakes after studying Nile perch and Nile tilapia species in the Mwanza region. The findings revealed that 1 in 5 fish contained confirmed microplastics in their gastrointestinal tracts, these shocking statistics kickstarted groups into action to tackle plastic pollution in Mwanza.
With all of this in mind, this beautiful city placed in the economic heart of the Lake Region was a befitting culmination to an unbelievable journey tied together by a #beatpollution message.
On 9th April, Flipflopi arrived at Rock Beach in central Mwanza accompanied by a flotilla of fishermen’s canoes, the police and local boat pilots all of whom are deeply affected by the environmental challenges on Lake Victoria.
With the support of local environmental organisations like the Environmental Management and Economic Development Organisation (EMEDO) and MyMarkMyCity, the goal of the day was to bring together stakeholders around the lake to spotlight the critical threat of pollution, further community discussions, and promote the spirit of innovation and human ingenuity using the Flipflopi as a vehicle to understand the challenges and opportunities.
Fishermen on Lake Victoria in Mwanza | Credit Mick Warwick
"As the Clean Seas campaign, we believe that government, civil society, NGOs, and the public have a part to play in tackling plastic pollution. Everyone has an important value to contribute, this is what the Flipflopi represents." Clara Makenya, UNEP
Our closing event encompassed the three pillars of Flipflopi philosophy:
1. Educate through Science
One great way to understand the extent of the challenges the lake is facing is through science.
For several weeks, Bahati Mayoma, Assistant Lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam and researcher on the ground-breaking study on microplastic pollution in Mwanza, led the Flipflopi team in carefully collecting plastic pollution data across three countries – Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
During the event, Bahati took time to speak with fishers, the community and the local government on our preliminary findings, and the significance of these findings to them.
"Science is important as it helps communities understand the extent of pollution and take action based on available data. We've found plastic on remote islands in the lake, showing that this problem is massive and that it requires a regional approach to tackle it." Bahati Mayoma, Researcher Flipflopi Lake Victoria Expedition
2. Innovate through Artivism
Artivism: activism through art and culture. This term we learned from Dave Ojay, Naam Festival founder, and our brilliant partner in Kisumu.
We've seen first-hand the impact art has in engaging people of all ages. The ability to break down environmental issues, tailor them to the language and culture of the community and provoke discussions and action through art is unmatched.
“We believe that art can play a major part in environmental education, combining the talents & innovation of communities and giving them ownership in tackling this issue." Ephraim Kapungu, British Council Tanzania
During the Mwanza event, we launched not one, but three art installations created by local artists. The first, a mural depicting the pollution of the lake and the impact on fishers and fishmongers.
The second, a sculpture of a Nile perch stuffed with discarded plastic bottles. The third in a series of sculptures spanning the lake’s shores – from Dunga Beach in Kisumu to Ggaba Beach in Kampala, and now, Rock Beach in Mwanza.
Nile Perch Sculpture launched by Editrudith Lukanga, founder of EMEDO | Credit: Daniel Msirikale
And finally, a banda made from 3,000 plastic bottles that aims to act as an environmental centre to educate the youth on waste innovation and environmental conservation.
"Building this banda from 3000 used bottles and realising how easy it was to find them, shows how widespread the plastic pollution problem is. It's something we can’t ignore anymore!" Maliha Sumar and Tumaini Musa
3. Influence through Community & Policy Engagement
As with all our events, our goal is to bring together the individuals, groups, and organisations who can make a difference. The Mwanza event not only brought people together, but it also gave everyone the platform to speak. To voice their love for the lake and their pain in its destruction. To inspire, provoke commitments, and spur action.
…from the fishers who depend on the lake for their livelihoods
"We hope that through this campaign, we can begin to reduce the amount of pollution in the lake. This way, we can begin to see more fish...right now, we are struggling with the amount of fish catch we have." Fatuma Katulla, Tanzania Women's Fishworkers Association
Representatives from the Tanzania Women’s Fishworkers Association | Credit: Daniel Msirikale
…to the school children who’s future this is
"Tanzania nchi yangu. Ninaipenda. Nitaitumikia. Nitaiendeleza. Kwa moyo wangu wote." School Children, Iseni B Primary School.
School Children from Iseni B Primary School | Credit: Daniel Msirikale
… the policy makers who have the opportunity to effect lasting change
"We have experienced challenges with waste management in Mwanza. We hope this campaign can bring environmental awareness & minimise plastic waste through the enforcement of existing laws. We also hope the environmental centre can reduce waste in the landfill by supporting segregation of and innovation around waste." Danford Kemenya, Mwanza City Council
Boat Ride on Flipflopi with Members of the Mwanza City Council | Credit: Daniel Msirikale
…the environmental activists who fight each day for the lake’s survival
"Kama vijana tutajitoa katika kuyafanya mazingira yetu kuwa sehemu salama ya kila mmoja wetu kuishi.” Paschal Gaja, National Youth & Engagement Network
…the business owners and innovators who have found ways to support the circular economy through their work
"We need to engage recycling companies in order to understand their processes and make recycling transparent. We hope that with this campaign we can begin these conversations." James Hamisi, Boat Tour Operator
… and the community members who call this lake home.
One common theme emerging from our extended stay in Mwanza is the ability of our grassroots partners to galvanise the community in addressing and tackling our collective issues.
"I feel energised by the enthusiasm of the youth & commitments of stakeholders. This is the first step in a long journey and I'm optimistic that we'll sit back one day and reflect and be proud of our contribution to our beautiful lake." Editrudith Lukanga, EMEDO
We fully believe that this will stand them in good stead as they push forward the #beatpollution agenda in Mwanza. The transition happening in Tanzania presents a meaningful opportunity to continue President Magafuli’s strong work and commitment to the environmental agenda, including his nationwide cleanups.
While we've come to the end of our Lake Victoria expedition, this is just the start of East Africa's #plasticrevolution. Asante sana Mwanza. Ziwa Letu, Uchumi Wetu, Hapa Kazi tu!
With thanks to Daniel Msirikale @that_tanzanianguy and Mick Warwick for the wonderful images.
And to our partners FCDO, UNEP, AFD, Emedo, MyMarkMyCity Tanzania, UN Live and the British Council for supporting us in putting this event together.
Can you help us to continue our work in Tanzania?
We are kickstarting the #plasticrevolution in Tanzania and we want to make sure the message is spread far and wide. That’s why we’re working with local partners EMEDO and Maliha Sumar to continue spreading the message even when the boat has left the lake.
In Mwanza, we launched an Eco Education Centre to empower young people with the knowledge and skills, they need to make cash from trash and to work towards a single-use plastic future.
To learn more and donate to the cause, click here. Any help you can give us would help us take a step closer to a plastic-free future.
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