Under-20 midfielder Enock ‘Computer’ Mwepu says he shudders to think of a world without clean water.
The U-20 Africa Cup winner toured World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Zambia head office in Lusaka where he learned about the organisation’s Journey of Water Campaign and concluded his visit with a group photo and selfies, much to the delight of staff.
“I am happy about the campaign; Zambians must know the importance of water and the need to care for it. I understand the importance of water because it is one of the most consumed resources on the pith that cools us off and re-energizes us during games. So I know how difficult it must be for people not to have access to clean water,” said the Napsa Stars winger.
WWF Zambia has mobilised a number of influential Zambian personalities, among them boxer Catherine Phiri, musicians Petersen, Maureen Lilanda, Wezi among others, as well as media that will next week undertake a 63-kilometre walk to raise awareness on sustainable water stewardship and call for better care and preservation of the resource.
The Journey of Water Campaign was unveiled in Lusaka on Wednesday May 10, 2017 at a breakfast launch graced by Minister of Water, Sanitation and Environmental Protection Lloyd Kaziya and Permanent Secretary Bishop Edward Chomba, among other stakeholders.
Although it covers 70 per cent of our planet’s surface, only 3 per cent of all water on Earth is fresh water. Further, only a meagre 1 per cent of this is accessible for human use. Despite its significance and scarcity, water is perhaps one of the most underappreciated resources.
Mwepu was the heart of the Zambian side that secured a historic quarter-final berth at the recent FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea.
His well-placed strike against Iran in Zambia’s dramatic come-from-behind 4-2 win earned the 19-year-old a nomination among the goals of the tournament.
The nomination has put Mwepu in a unique category of promising young stars in the likes of Germany duo of Phillip Ochs and Suat Serder, Portugal’s Diego Goncalves, South Korea’s Lee Seungwoo and Rodrigal Amar of Uruguay whose goals have also been nominated.
Voting for the best goal is currently ongoing on the FIFA website and will be announced later.
WWF Zambia head of communications Eneya Phiri who took the young star through the tour meeting smiling staff said he was encouraged by Mwepu’s appreciation of the importance of water.
He thanked Mwepu for the visit and urged him to remain focused on his blossoming
career.
“It’s very good to see our local celebrities take ownership of the campaign given the importance of water. We feel encouraged knowing that we are not alone,” said Phiri.
