Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
VILLAGERS in Matobo District are witnessing first-hand the wave of infrastructure development sweeping across their communities, with legacy projects reshaping the face of the constituency ahead of this year’s Independence Day celebrations.
So massive is the scale of development across the district that ordinary villagers do not need to be told about the legacy projects being built; they can see for themselves how their area is undergoing a major transformation.
Member of Parliament for Matobo North, Cde Edgar Moyo, who is also the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, said this as he reflected on the transformative development being rolled out in his area under the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa.
He was speaking on the sidelines of a tour of ongoing projects by Vice-President Kembo Mohadi at Maphisa Stadium on Thursday.
The high-level delegation, comprising Cabinet ministers, deputy ministers, traditional leaders and senior Government officials, toured the main venue of the Independence Day celebrations set for April 18.
Cde Moyo said communities in Matabeleland South are already benefiting from the Government’s decentralisation of national events.
“The echoes of development are spreading across Matobo District and the rest of Matabeleland South Province, and we have the Independence Day celebrations to thank for bringing this level of infrastructure development,” he said.
“The people of Matabeleland South Province have never before seen such legacy projects being built in a short space and we are grateful to President Mnangagwa for taking a deliberate position to rotate Independence Day celebrations in all the country’s provinces.”
A range of projects is underway, including the construction and upgrading of schools, a local cultural centre, a stadium, health facilities, a Vocational Training Centre, and key road networks.
At Mahetshe Primary School, which will host the Children’s Party, four new classroom blocks are nearing completion, while modern ablution facilities are more than 80 percent complete.
New teachers’ cottages are also under construction. Mahetshe Secondary School has undergone significant upgrades, with six additional classroom blocks, a laboratory, new ablution facilities and teachers’ accommodation.
Meanwhile, an airstrip nearing completion is expected to enhance accessibility to the area, opening up opportunities for tourism and investment.
The Independence Day preparations have accelerated the delivery of these projects, leaving a lasting development footprint in Matobo and the wider Matabeleland South Province.
Upon the completion of the legacy projects, Maphisa will be transformed from a modest rural outpost into a burgeoning development hub, exemplifying President Mnangagwa’s commitment to seeing previously abandoned projects through to completion and fulfilling promises that had gathered dust for more than 20 years.
At Maphisa Stadium, residents who live in the vicinity of Maphisa Business Centre can barely believe that a sports facility that will benefit their children in the future was built in such a short space of time.
“The Independence Day celebrations have brought so much development, including Maphisa Stadium, which is just a few metres from our house. When the celebrations are over, we will be left with a stadium that our children for generations and generations to come,” said resident Mr Timu Sibanda.
