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were not benefiting. I want to thank President Mugabe for being such a visionary.
He gave farms to the people and now he is giving us wealth,” said Chief Chabu Murabwa.
“Now we hear that some people are opposed to black empowerment. As chiefs, we do not want to hear that. Who is he (Tsvangirai) standing for? If he is a Zimbabwean, why is he advocating for foreigners to own our resources,” he added.
Chief Murabwa said funds from the scheme should be used for infrastructure development.
He said the money should be used to rehabilitate roads, build schools and dip tanks, among other basic requirements.
Chief Fanuel Mushava described the ceding of 10 percent shares to communities by Zimplats as a dream come true.
“We have been engaging Zimplats as chiefs over the matter since 2009 without success. First, we demanded that the company should employ locals and they only agreed after a struggle.
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“A lot of our children are now employed by Zimplats but we were not satisfied. Last year, we further made another request that they give us shares. They initially refused and we threatened to shut down the mine but we were advised against it. We also engaged the Chamber of Mines over the issue. Now we can proudly say we are also owners of Zimplats,” he said.
Chief Mushava said it was, however, important that measures be taken to prevent corruption.
“As chiefs, we are saying incorporate knowledgeable people in the trust so that these resources are put to good use,” he said.
“We worked for the white men for a long time. Now it is time for black economic empowerment. Anyone opposed to this great idea is not right in his senses,” said Chief Mushava.
He said proceeds from the scheme should be shared equally by the targeted communities.
Chief Mushava said the resources should fund infrastructure development.
Chief Nyika said although traditional leaders were happy with the Zimplats share ownership scheme, the 10 percent shareholding was too little.
“We are not very happy that they only gave us 10 percent yet they (Zimplats) have been taking our resources away for several years. We also demand transparency in the whole programme. No one should pocket proceeds from the trust,” he said.
On MDC-T’s opposition to black economic empowerment, he said: “They are ignorant and have no vision at all.”
Chief Phineas Benhura said he was excited by the development and Chief Ngezi echoed the same sentiments.
“We had advocated for this development for years. The 10 percent shareholding will help develop infrastructure in our communities. Chegutu has no roads, clinics and there is poor sanitation. Now we can start thinking of addressing these basic needs,” he said.
Chief Ngezi said such schemes were not new in the region as Impala of South Africa, Zimplats’ parent company was doing the same in South Africa.
Chief Francis Rwizi urged Zimbabweans to support the programme.
“Everyone should support this noble scheme as it will benefit everyone. A school or clinic built from these resources will benefit everyone and whoever is opposing this is not intelligent,” said Chief Rwizi.
Chief Claudius Nyamweda said he was going to sit down with his people and decide on what projects to embark on.
He singled out dam construction and electrification of homesteads and institutions.
Chief Mashayamombe called for transparency.
“If they (politicians) get involved then they should always consult us first than imposing things on us,” he said.
Chegutu district administrator, Mr Makanzwei Jecheche, was hopeful the share ownership trust would change the face of rural and urban Chegutu.
“The scheme is going to give impetus to district development. Our projects were lacking funding. We had annual and strategic plans but were not being implemented as funding was not forthcoming because of macro-economic problems. Now I can go to the people and say we are going to build schools, clinics and drill boreholes. We are excited as development agents. The general socio-economic welfare of our people will now greatly improve,” he said.
Members of Parliament for Mhondoro-Ngezi and Mhondoro-Mubaira, Cdes Bright Matonga and Sylvester Nguni respectively, held separate feedback meetings with the traditional leaders in their constituencies this week.
“I came here to explain to you what the 10 percent shareholding means to you as the people of Mhondoro-Ngezi. The money will not go into my pockets as MP. These are funds meant for community development and we want to work together and be a shining example to the rest of the country where such a programme would also be launched,” he said.
Cde Matonga brought along Professor Lovemore Mbigi who told the traditional leaders the importance of community share ownership schemes and black economic empowerment.
At Mubaira Growth Point, Cde Nguni explained to the traditional leaders the meaning of the share ownership scheme.
He described the scheme as “a tremendous breakthrough and achievement for the communities”.
A board of trustees comprising traditional leaders, council chairmen, women and youth representatives, the disabled among others, will run the scheme being co-ordinated by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development.
Online Reporter