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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
ZANU-PF candidate for the National Assembly seat in Beitbridge East, Cde Albert Nguluvhe (pictured), has pledged to heighten infrastructure development in his constituency once retained as MP in the coming harmonised elections.
Cde Nguluvhe is one of the 12 National Assembly candidates in Matabeleland South representing the ruling party in the August 23 polls.
He was first voted MP in 2018 and during his term of office, Cde Nguluvhe engaged partners and utilised the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to implement various developmental projects in Beitbridge East.
The projects include the construction of schools, clinics, drilling of boreholes, school laboratories, and road maintenance among others.
“When I assumed office in 2018 I noticed that Beitbridge East Constituency lacked a lot in terms of infrastructure development such as clinics, schools, bridges, roads and irrigation schemes.
There is Tshikwalakwala Irrigation Scheme which hadn’t been working for 18 years, and through Government efforts, it is now operational and it’s benefiting the community,” said Cde Nguluvhe.
“There is more than needs to be done to ensure that the irrigation scheme is fully productive, and this is one of the major areas of focus once I am re-elected. I intend to continue with the work I have already started and bring about even more development.”
Cde Nguluvhe said Bubi Bridge linking communities living along the Sengwe Corridor stretching from Beitbridge district to Chiredzi district was destroyed by cyclone –induced floods seven years ago, and needs to be repaired.
The bridge links the communities of Tshikwalakwala, Tshipise and Tshitulipasi in Beitbridge district and Sengwe, Chikombedzi and Malipati villages in the neighbouring Chiredzi district.
The areas fall under the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP), a vast tract of safari land straddling the borders of Zimbabwe, South Africa and Mozambique.
The affected road is the direct route to the Gonarezhou Transfrontier Park, which is part of the GLTP hence impacting negatively on tourism activities around the area.
The GLTP together some of the most established wildlife areas in Southern Africa into a core area of approximately 37,572 km2. The mega park links Gonarezhou National Park, Manjinji Pan Sanctuary and Malipati Safari Area on the Zimbabwean side, Kruger National Park in South Africa and the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique.
The transfrontier park also links two communities, one which forms part of the Kruger National Park, namely the Maluleke Area in South Africa and Sengwe Communal land in Zimbabwe.
The GLTP has a strong Tsonga heritage, which predates European cultures. The heart of the GLTP, the Pafuri area, is the focal point of the two Shangaan clans still holding traditional rule across the three borders: the Maluleke and the Sengwe clans.
Cde Nguluvhe said inaccessibility is impacting negatively on tourism activities around the area.
“It is no longer possible for tourists to visit some of the tourist attractions along the Sengwe Corridor in the district such as Tshipise hot springs, great wildlife and rich cultural tourism.
We are appealing to Government to assist by rehabilitating the infrastructure that was destroyed by the floods,” he said
Cde Nguluvhe said the bridge has to be repaired so that it can be used by Tshikwalakwala Irrigation Scheme farmers to deliver their produce. Tshikwalakwala and the surrounding villages are situated in low-lying areas, making them prone to floods.
Cde Nguluvhe said he also intends to address the issue of children dropping out of school.
“If our schools in the rural areas are equipped with science laboratories they we will be able to study pure sciences at secondary level.
The learners produced by these schools will be able to compete with learners from urban areas and enroll in tertiary institutions,” he said.
“There is still a need for improved network coverage in my constituency as there are some areas that rely on South African network. A lot has been done by Government over the past five years to improve connectivity and we have to acknowledge this.”
Cde Nguluvhe said during his term of office he spearheaded significant developmental projects in his constituency.
“A number of solar powered gardens have been established in Beitbridge East constituency and some were a result of efforts by community members who mobilised resources. This has helped to fight a dependence syndrome among community members,” he said.
“Some of the community members used to get their vegetables from as far as Bulawayo and Masvingo, but today they are now producing on their own. We need such gardens to be established in all communities in line President Mnangagwa’s development philosophy ‘ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo.”
Cde Nguluvhe said members of the community have to be instrumental in the development of key infrastructure in their areas.
He said the Second Republic has made significant efforts to develop rural communities.–@DubeMatutu
Online Reporter