Empowered Jambezi villagers defeat poverty, fight climate change

Fairness Moyana in Hwange

VILLAGERS in Jambezi, Hwange District, Matabeleland North Province, have been lauded for their innovative economic empowerment initiatives, which have transformed livelihoods and bolstered resilience in the face of climate change.

These initiatives include the formation of livestock groups, savings clubs and the rehabilitation of essential infrastructure, such as the Gavu dip tank, which had been out of operation for six years.

The community’s efforts were celebrated during the recent Amalima Day at the Gavu dip tank, where Acting Hwange District Co-ordinator Mrs Nyaradzo Masoja commended the collective determination of the Jambezi cluster.

“Today, we celebrate the Jambezi cluster milestones that were achieved through working together and turning their dreams into reality,” she said.

“With support from Amalima Loko, the Gavu community took action to realise these prioritised plans.”
The dip tank’s rehabilitation, alongside the revival of its water reticulation system and the implementation of conservation measures, has been pivotal in improving livestock production.

The training of Community Animal Health Workers (Caws) and the establishment of grazing land management committees in three wards have led to the successful sale of 52 cattle, providing much-needed income to the community.

“The dip tank handling facilities rehabilitation, water reticulation system revival and the establishment of conservation measures to protect the infrastructure prove that collective action is key to community-led developments,” said Mrs Masoja.

The Amalima Loko project has been instrumental in supporting livestock production, including training six Caws and forming 12 grazing land management committees. The committees have worked with community leaders to implement crucial grazing land interventions, such as invasive species control, rotational grazing and re-vegetation.

“Amalima Loko supported livestock production improvement through community volunteers. This included training of six Caws in three wards and the formation of 12 grazing land management committees that work with community leaders in implementing grazing land interventions,” she said.

“These efforts have not only boosted livestock production but also reduced conflicts over grazing land.”
In Jambezi, four out of 22 livestock groups in the district have been established, focusing on collective production and business training, group purchasing of livestock essentials and marketing livestock collectively.

In July, 52 cattle were sold for nearly US$20 000 to commercial buyers, further strengthening the community’s economic base.

Water access has also improved significantly, thanks to the smart partnership between Amalima Loko, the Government and local communities.

Mrs Masoja said three new boreholes were drilled and 10 existing ones were rehabilitated, benefiting over 350 households in the Jambezi cluster.

“Twenty-three traditional leaders from Wards 6, 7 and 8 were trained in natural resources governance enhancing their knowledge as custodians of natural resources,” she said.

“They are working together with community volunteers like Watershed Cluster steering committees, grazing land management committees, Watershed Youth Champions, Lead farmers, assets management committees, Community Action Groups who lead communities in rehabilitating degraded lands.”

The community’s success extends to the Village Savings and Loans (VS&L) concept, with 646 participants saving a combined US$56 166. This financial empowerment allows families to invest in productive assets and access credit, fostering long-term resilience.

Additionally, life skills training has equipped young people with the knowledge to pursue entrepreneurship, while 80 care groups have provided basic nutrition and health education to over 800 caregivers. The adoption of water, sanitation and hygiene practices saw the construction of 40 self-supply latrines providing basic sanitation access to 228 people in line with efforts to achieve open defecation free communities by 2025.

Chairperson of the Bupenyu Bwamangwana Livestock Group, Mr Abel Solomon Sibanda, said the dip tank’s rehabilitation, which serves 14 villages, is a huge relief for farmers.

“We were having challenges with our dip tank, particularly with access to spare parts for our engine. With assistance from Amalima Loko, we managed to procure outside the country,” he said, noting that the dip tank would re-open to farmers this week.

“We resorted to pouring vaccines on the backs of our cattle as part of protecting them from diseases, which proved costly. All areas that need rehabilitation including the water system have been sorted, save for the roofing, which is underway and we are opening it to farmers this week.”

Mr Sibanda said plans are also underway to establish a nutrition garden and sheds to generate revenue for the dip tank’s upkeep.

The installation of boreholes by Amalima Loko is expected to significantly reduce livestock mortality by ensuring a reliable water supply.

Acting Chief Shana, Mr Nhamo Tshuma, praised the interventions brought by Amalima Loko, which have empowered parents to consistently pay school fees and support local development programmes.

“As a result of these interventions, we have seen many parents consistently paying school fees for their children and supporting development programmes, a situation that has contributed immensely to their capacity to mitigate against the effects of climate change,” he said.