Online Reporter
Noah Pito in MAGUNJE
TWO dams in Magunje Constituency, Mashonaland West Province, are set to benefit thousands of villagers following the launch of a fish farming project by the area’s legislator, Cde Supa Monga Madiro.
Cde Madiro launched the project at Chiva Dam in Ward 11 and Chewore Dam in Ward 23 last Friday during a certification ceremony for 352 students who had completed rural-based training courses in fish farming, beekeeping, animal husbandry and baking, among others.
Of the 352 graduates, 95 received certificates after completing training in fish farming.
The training programmes were conducted by the Zimbabwe National Empowerment Trust for Economic Development at the invitation of Hon Madiro.
Speaking at separate ceremonies held at Chiva Secondary School and Chewore Irrigation Scheme, Cde Madiro said the launch of the fish farming project marked a significant milestone in empowering communities.
He said fish farming offered sustainable livelihoods and was in line with the country’s Vision 2030 development agenda.
“Our President wants to see everyone working for themselves and realising an income by 2030,” Cde Madiro said.
“That is the reason why we are drilling boreholes so that we avail water and ensure that everyone has something they can do to raise an income. Investment in fish farming calls for patience as the fruits cannot usually be enjoyed in a shorter period than six months.
“I urge you to desist from fish poaching, and I want to warn anyone with poaching in mind to desist from such thoughts, as you will be handed over to the Department of National Parks just like any other poacher.
“While I congratulate those who are receiving their certificates for completing different courses, I must be clear that we must use the skills that were imparted to us without making any shortcuts. Remember, no matter if one is given adequate resources to start a project, without enough training or relevant skills the business is doomed to collapse.”
He said that even for simple projects like poultry rearing, there is a need for training so that one can fully manage diseases and any other challenges.
“I want to encourage those who want to be empowered in different ventures to first attend the relevant course before embarking on the venture,” he said.
“Those who did animal husbandry, we are going to give you goats. Those who did beekeeping, your beehives are already available, and they will be handed over to you soon. Take advantage of these free courses. What do you lose when you get capacitated for free?
“We have invested in fish farming so that the project can benefit us as entire communities. Let us abide by the recommendations spelt out by our National Parks ecologist in the management of our dams. Remember, for the management of the project, those who have been trained in fish farming will be in charge.”
Ecologist at Lake Chivero Fisheries Mr David Goza, who brought the fish to the dams during the project launch, said those who are going to poach fish in the dams would do so at their own peril since the law would take its course just as expected.
He urged the villagers to stop all brick moulding activities near the dams and as well move vegetable gardens away from the banks of the dams saying this would reduce siltation which he said was an enemy of fish farming.
The release of the Nile bream into Chewore and Chiva dams was done after traditional incantations were performed by representatives of the spirit mediums of the areas.
At Chewore Dam – which is under the jurisdiction of Chief Dendera- the Chief himself personally took the fish into the water.
According to Chief Dendera, the traditional formality had to be done in order to appease the spirits of the area so that they could also guard against any troubles that could foil the sustenance of the project.
According to Mr Noel Gonese, the national chairman of Zimbabwe National Empowerment Trust for Economic Development, his organisation works in partnership with the Ministry of Youth to drive skills development, youth empowerment, and local economic transformation under Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030. It also works in all 10 provinces.
