Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
THE rehabilitation of Gungwe Dam in Gwanda South Constituency has brought relief to over 3 000 people from 12 villages who had endured more than a decade without a reliable water source after the dam was destroyed by cyclone-induced rains.
The US$600 000 project, was funded through a public-private partnership facilitated by the Gwanda Community Share Ownership Trust (CSOT) under the leadership of the area’s legislator, Dr Omphile Marupi, who is also the Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services.
Local firm JRG Construction was contracted to undertake the rehabilitation works, which began in August and were completed in November last year.
The dam is now spilling, symbolising a new chapter for the community. It will provide water for domestic use, livestock, a clinic, a Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (Rida) centre and a community hall.
Plans are underway to establish a large-scale irrigation scheme, a fishery project and a tourist attraction site.
Villagers expressed their joy and optimism following the completion of the rehabilitation.
Mrs Sikholiwe Ndlovu said the dam’s destruction had left the community in despair.
“When this dam was destroyed, it felt like we had lost our livelihood. We were forced to suspend our gardens project that we were running as co-operatives due to lack of water,” she said.
Mrs Ndlovu said cattle and goats had no source of water, forcing villagers to drive them long distances in search of water.
” Now that the dam is full, we can revive our horticulture projects and we also have water for livestock and domestic use,”she said.
Another villager, Ms Ntombizodwa Moyo said the community is already planning to implement a number of income generating projects.
Mr Sipho Ncube commended the local MP and partners for their efforts.
“We would like to thank our MP who engaged other partners to rehabilitate this dam and we are happy that the project has been completed,” he said.
During a visit to the dam last Wednesday, Dr Marupi emphasised the importance of the project.
“This dam was washed away almost 12 years ago, leaving the community without a water source. Livestock and people had to travel over 15 kilometres to access water. Today, we celebrate the completion of this key project, which will transform the livelihoods of many families,” said Dr Marupi.
He added that the rehabilitation aligns with the Government’s Vision 2030 and President Mnangagwa’s emphasis on the critical role of water in development.
The project involved re-establishing and widening the spillway channel with a levelled masonry weir, constructing a new dam embankment and rock toe and raising the dam embankment by 1,4 meters.
Gungwe Dam is expected to enhance food security and promote economic growth through agricultural activities and income-generating projects. — @DubeMatutu
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