CSOT producing results

launches in three other provinces, the empowerment initiative has not only proved to be a viable model but has also restored communities’ confidence in the role of Government towards empowering them and fostering meaningful development.
Such is the case with Shurugwi were President Mugabe commissioned the Tongogara Community Share Ownership scheme at Unki mine in November last year.
Unki Mine complied with the Government’s indigenisation programme and secured US$10 million for the Shurugwi community and they managed to identify what they called “five start-up projects”.
These projects were the building of a mortuary, classroom blocks, gardens, drilling of boreholes and construction of a dam.
The dam was supposed to benefit about 100 surrounding households and more than 100 households downstream.
According to the governor of Midlands Province Jason Machaya, Ward 14 received US$112 000 for the construction of Chirume Dam, which has been completed.
He said other projects were still underway.
The community has applauded the Government for the programme, as the dam is now used for domestic use, fishing and irrigation.
The community has so far used US$95 000 for the construction of a mortuary at Zvamabonde Clinic in Ward 10.
The clinic is the district’s referral centre and the construction of the mortuary is meant to go a long way in servicing the community. The biggest project which is underway is the construction of Musasa Primary School in ward 18 costing US$237 000. The school situated in a resettlement area was expected to have eight classroom blocks.
Banga Primary School in Ward 8 received US$104 000 for the construction of classroom blocks.
Speaking to a visiting delegation, Chief Nhema said the community had only used US$1 million out of the US$10 million from Unki Mine.
“We still have the US$10 million from Unki, as we had the opportunity to fund different projects from the US$1 million,” he said. National indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Board chief executive Mr Wilson Gwatiringa said that the projects are going out well.
He added that they were still drilling boreholes, constructing roads and facilitating projects in Shurugwi. 
The people of Shurugwi have however said that they feel they deserved 10 percent from Unki Mine.
Zimplats was the first to launch a CSOT in Mhondoro in October last year. Unki Mine in Shurugwi was the second and the third scheme was launched at Mimosa Mine in Zvishavane. There is also one in Marange, Manicaland.
The Zvishavane Community Share Ownership Scheme is reportedly doing well as it has managed to drill boreholes, construct classroom blocks, clinics and teachers’ houses and sprucing up buildings at a number of schools.