Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
Villagers in Beitbridge have, in the last few years, been writing their own remarkable story of community-driven development.
Despite facing numerous challenges, the villagers under the Beitbridge Rural District Council (BBRDC) area have come together to pool their resources and build essential infrastructure, including clinics, schools, and public facilities.
In most of the 15 administrative wards, the initiative, spearheaded by local leaders and community members, has brought together people from all walks of life to contribute to the development of their town. Residents are donating materials, labour, and expertise to construct new buildings, renovate existing ones, and improve public spaces.
The Beitbridge RDC is also providing technical services and, at times, the funding where resources are available.
Speaking during the recent commissioning of refurbished Fula and Chaswingo primary schools in Beitbridge East, Beitbridge RDC chairperson, Clr Oscar Chiromo said the community-driven initiatives were bridging service delivery gaps.
World Vision, Matibe Cluster, sponsored the upgrading of the facilities, working with community members and the local authority.
At Fula primary school, that was established in 1984 and has 260 students, a climate resilient classroom block that has two classrooms and two offices was built. Three fish ponds, a wash basin, an educational robot, solar-powered piped water scheme, a poultry project and the first flash toilet in rural schools around Beitbridge were set up.
Chaswingo Primary School, which was opened in 1978, had 10 of its classrooms decommissioned after the roof trusses were badly affected by termites benefitted from the construction of three climate resilient classrooms blocks adding six classrooms to the school with 688 pupils. Clr Chiromo said the collaboration had seen growth in the construction of clinics and schools.
“There are numerous community-initiated projects within the district that the local authority supports, and we are partnering community members and development agencies to build Early Childhood Development (ECD) schools in selected areas to reduce the distance children are currently travelling to access the nearest school,” said Clr Chiromo.
He also challenged other development agencies to emulate the efforts by World Vision to drive infrastructure development. Chief Matibe of Beitbridge East said the involvement of community members in development matters was critical to create a sense of ownership. He said traditional leaders should also be actively involved in development projects in their respective areas.
At the moment, BBRDC has 66 primary and 14 secondary schools catering for an estimated 150,000 population. Six primary schools are in various stages of construction, while an additional three secondary schools are also being built through partnerships.
