Rwanda’s capital Kigali was nicknamed ‘Little Europe’ by Europeans and Asians for its ambitious plans and neatness.
And Kigali city has scored another first.
The city has announced a regular car free days. According to the city mayor, particular streets will be closed off for car use to allow people walk to work.
Last Sunday was the second car free day in Kigali. Residents had fun using roller, skates, skating boards and bicycles to get around the city.
Rwanda is renown for community initiative called umunsi w’omuganda. On the day, all able-bodied people between 18 and 65 are required to participate in the clean-up exercise in their communities.
The car free days are aimed at “encouraging mass sports and exercise along the affected route through introducing the much anticipated green transport and green city,” according to City Mayor Monique Mukaruliza.
Be fit, be healthy
“In a bid to promote healthy lifestyle for the residents of Kigali, the City authorities have introduced mass sports and exercises, to encourage people to walk, jog as well as ride bicycles. It is in this context that we have introduced a monthly car-free day, and this month it will happen on May 29,” he says.
THIS IS GREAT…LET LSK, KITWE AND NDOLA CITY ASPIRING MAYORAL CANDIDATES STEAL THIS INITIATIVE AND USE IT AS MANIFESTO CAMPAIGNS TRATEGY…..WHO EVER WILL ADOPT THIS WILL DEFINITELY BE KILLED!!!!
but why liken kigali to little europe. does everything we africans do need to be compared to europe. why do we or anyone else feel the need to compare african achievements to europe and bad traits as being purely african. Kigali is not little anything. it is just kigali.
I can’t wait for Maureen Mwanawasa to make Lusaka a paradise.
It was nicknamed by Europeans and Asians for its neatness. Read bane, read!
@1+1 – so because it is nicknamed by the europeans, we now also start saying little europe tefyo. why do you allow others to define things for you? This is how our minds get corrupted and think only good things are european. It used to be those days, that when you are baptised, they change your name to paul as if there was anything wrong with just being called bwalya. ok so what shall they call lusaka once it is clean like kigali? Little europe again? or would it have been better if we the africans maintained the name of clean kigali and when lsk becomes clean we nickname it big kigali because it is as clean as kigali. that way our mind associates the good part of cleanliness to another african city/concept. this is empowerment of the mind!!!!
MEAN WHILE AT LUSAKA’S UTH HOSPITAL THE CONDITIONS ARE SO APPALLING THAT THE PRESIDENT REFUSES TO EVEN SET FOOT THERE! IT IS ALSO WIDELY SUSPECTED THAT MR LUNGU IS ACTING UNDER INSTRUCTIONS FROM HIS WITCH DOCTORS THAT TOLD HIM THAT IF HE EVER WENT TO UTH HE WOULD CERTAINLY LOSE THE UPCOMING ELECTION. REPORTS ZAMBIA INDEPENDENT NEW NETWORK. ZINN!!!
Lusaka is something else when it comes to its level of cleanliness One will have trouble to think of a positive name in this state of affairs, especially in CBD and Kamwala.
Good initiative, positive minds, responsible citizens. Zambia, can we do the same in Lusaka and other densely populated towns. If we can have such initiatives then the Zambia we love shall be a different nation.
This is really interesting. An innovation to imitate for sure…!
I have said it before and let me REPEAT. Government shud introduce a system in Zambia where pipo should be encouraged to bring loads of RUBBISH to it for say; K5.00 per kg. For instance, on Mondays – PLASTICS only – Wednesdays – GENERAL rubbish only and on Fridays – BOTTLES only etc.
It won’t be long when ALL major cities in Zambia will turn clean and infact, ZP could be extremely busy with RUBBISH thefts. Pipo will be stealing RUBBISH from others in order to go and sell for cash from GRZ simple….
This is an example of outdated old communist policies that have no place in modern democratic dispensations!! How do you force people, some of them sick and disabled, to walk long distances. It is in fact far from European values – it can never happen in a city like London, Paris, Berlin, Rome, etc.
Such things ONLY happen in countries that are run by Dictators like, Kagame, where people worship their leaders and take everything from such leaders to be right and never challenge them. Next time Dictators start telling you and me when to sha.gg, when to sh.it, etc – there is no limit to things Dictators can do!
I have a right and it is my right to decide when to walk, skate, Drive, etc not a mi.nion telling me when I can do these things whenever her pu.sy itchy.
Can one walk fro Johannesburg CBD to Sandton? May be cycling!
NONE of the walkers is carrying a laptop or lunch box. Not even a cell phone.
The EFFECTS OF A POOR EDUCATION, Failing to comprehend the story – IT DOES SAY IN BLACK & WHITE, THAT “PARTICULAR STREETS ARE CLOSED OFF TO CAR USE” – NOT THE ENTIRE CITY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vote WISELY on 11/8/2016!! VOTE ZAMBIA FORWARD!! VOTE FOR A ZAMBIA WITH REVAMPED EDUCATION STANDARDS!!! VOTE UPND!!! Abantu baya!!!
I thank you!!
What can you …progressive? Don’t think so; the purpose of this scheme is unknown to introduce walk days on a Sunday when vehicles are usually parked away anyway…if the dictator Paul Kagame wants to go green he should simply improve Public Transport and introduce more cyclists lanes. Paul is likened to Museveni was 10 years ago who was the West’s errand boy; he has prolong his rule because of the West. Kagame like Sata, Museveni dont have a succession plan; they simply cling on instead on nurturing young members of the party who are not their children to continue their vision.
Paul is just a wonderful President. Here we encourage uncontrolled street vending. What a shame Kapyongo is totally lost for what is good for Zambia here we are encouraging violence. And party cadres taking away council levies for themselves. Keep up the good work Kigali.
Gents they are not forcing anyone to walk. You can use a bike roller skate, wheel chair etc. Do not always be blind Zambians. Appreciate positive initiatives. The Ugandans are not complaining , then why Zambian co,plain on their behalf.
Are we talking about Kampala here or Kigali?
This was tried by Kk although slightly different. We called him a dictator
PAul Kagame is an absolute dictator.
yessss… this is the Zambia I know. copy cats.. when are you going to use your own initiative???? continue drinking and posing while your densely populated areas continue become cesspools!!!!!
Kigali is really clean. I visited earlier in the year. It is very clean, very orderly and there is no corruption and no corrupt policemen, no unnecessary road blocks. The only problem I foresee is that soon there will be an uprising in Rwanda because Kagame has stretched his rule. He has already ruled for 22 years and wants to rule for another 18. He has silenced the opposition. He kills them where ever they are – Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, DRC etc. There is no freedom of expression in Rwanda. No one talks politics. We have intelligence people everywhere. One is not even sure what to discuss with the wife, because even your wife could report you to the system. If I were Kagame, I would relinquish power before citizens rise against me.
its just parts of the city , sandton cbd did it once