Vusumuzi Dube
Midlands Bureau Chief
AFTER noticing that parts of the Kwekwe-Gokwe town road had developed potholes, Chief Njelele from Gokwe South in Midlands Province summoned his villagers and available resources to patch the potholes.
The traditional leader was among 60 other villagers who rolled up their sleeves to try and repair some of the potholes to make it easier to use the road by motorists.
Waving red cloths tied to tree branches, the villagers, with their own picks, shovels, wheelbarrows and home-made rammers filled in potholes along the road.
In two days, the Chief and his subjects had covered about 80km, much to the appreciation of motorists.
The villagers, who had volunteered, said the Government had provided them with a road but it was also the community’s responsibility to carry out minor repairs.
“I realised that part of the Kwekwe-Gokwe town highway had developed potholes and sat down with villagers and agreed to patch from the Zhombe boundary to Gokwe town centre,” said Chief Njelele.
Chief Njelele said they used 90 bags of cement which they mixed with concrete to cover the potholes.
“We have a servant leader, President Mnangagwa who is hands-on. So I thought I could learn from him and that’s what we did. President Mnangagwa has been pioneering the Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabaninilo philosophy and it’s us the people who use this road who should complement Governments efforts in rehabilitating roads,” he said,
Chief Njelele said from Gokwe town centre, they are going to cross over to Gokwe-Chitekete road filling potholes.
“So far we are now in Gokwe town centre. We are then heading towards Gokwe-Chitekete road up to Chomumvuri boundary with Chief Nemangwe,” he said.
Online Reporter