Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma, Sunday News Reporter
IN a major step towards improving access to healthcare in remote parts of Matabeleland South Province, villagers from Nyele in Ward 4, Bulilima District, both home and abroad have teamed up with local Member of Parliament Cde Dingumuzi Phuti, to construct a clinic in their area.
The Nyele Clinic project, first mooted decades ago, is now more than 70 percent complete. The main structure has been fully built and roofed.
A staff cottage is complete and construction of two more cottages is underway.
For years, villagers have endured long, costly journeys to the nearest health facilities. The closest option, Khansili Clinic, is located about 15 kilometres away and costs R100 to reach via public transport.
Alternatives such as Tokwana and Masendu clinics are even further, situated about eight and 23 kilometres away, respectively.
Once complete, the new clinic, which is located just a stone’s throw from Nyele Business Centre, about 30km from Plumtree Town, will bring much-needed relief to the local community. The facility is expected to be operational next year.
The driving force behind the project is a partnership between the Nyele Diaspora Chapter, the local community and their MP. Since 2015, the diaspora group has raised close to R700 000 through crowdfunding, to purchase essential materials, including roofing sheets, window and door frames, cement and fencing.
“Our idea was born in 2015, to uplift our grassroots. We now have 249 members and besides supporting the clinic, we also bought fencing for Nyele Community Hall, which is now operational and repaired broken windows at Nyele Primary School,” said Nyele Diaspora Chapter chairperso, Mr Mbukani John Khupe.
He attributed the success of the projects to a strong partnership between the diaspora, the local leadership and Cde Phuti.
“We enjoy a good working relationship with the MP. He plays a pivotal role in guiding our projects to comply with official regulations. Local villagers fetch water, sand, bricks and do manual labour while our diaspora members raise funds, making it a solid tripartite partnership,” said Mr Khupe.
Nyele Clinic committee chairperson Mr Michael Nleya, echoed these sentiments, saying the project has united the community.
“The clinic is being built for free by our local builders and the community has supplied river and pit sand, gravel and bricks. Honourable Phuti continues to assist by donating cement,” he said.
Cde Phuti commended the unity among stakeholders, saying the initiative aligns with President Mnangagwa’s development vision.
He said the project is a practical reflection of the President’s philosophy, “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo / Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo.”
“In Bulilima, we’ve adopted a self-driven model based on co-operation between the diaspora, the local community and the Government. Through the Bulilima Rural District Council’s devolution fund and Constituency Development Fund, we co-ordinate efforts to accelerate the delivery of critical infrastructure,” said Cde Phuti.
He said the model is designed to mobilise support from all quarters, including the private sector and development partners, to realise Vision 2030.
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