Online Reporter
Felistas Tavarera
Herald Correspondent
THE atmosphere was electric as the annual fish harvesting beckoned, signalling not just the arrival of fresh tilapia, but a profound transformation within the Gosha Community in Goromonzi.
Tuesday July 15 2025, marked a pivotal moment for members of the Gosha Village Business Unit (VBU), which has become instrumental in reshaping their lifestyles.
The introduction of fish farming through the VBUs has emerged as a beacon of hope for their sustenance.
The fish ponds, once barren, are now teeming with life, reflecting the community’s resilience and determination.
As dawn broke on the day, the villagers gathered by the fish ponds, their excitement palpable.
Community members and local leaders all came together for the harvest. The air was filled with the sounds of laughter and chatter, a stark contrast to the silence that had once prevailed when the ponds lay empty.
With nets in hand, eager villagers plunged into the water, pulling out nets filled with shimmering tilapia.
This was not merely a harvest; it was a resurrection of hope and a testament to the community’s collective effort.
“The fish are more than just a source of food, they represent our future. The coming of fish is like a breath of fresh air for us, it symbolises our hard work and the potential we have to rise above our circumstances and fish are more than just a source of food. We are reclaiming our dignity and proving that we can thrive,” said Sandra Nyamuchengwa one of the members.
The role of VBUs in the fish farming initiative has been transformative. These units have provided vital resources, training and support to ensure the success of local entrepreneurs.
The Government’s commitment to empowering communities through agricultural initiatives has further solidified this progress.
Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Davis Marapira, who witnessed the harvest, said: “We are starting to yield results from the Presidential community fisheries programme. We stocked these fish ponds in November last year and because of the current winter season, the fish were not feeding very well due to the cold conditions, especially here in Mashonaland East.
“They have, however, improved from the fingerlings to between 200 and 300 grammes per fingerling in eight months.”
Dep Min Marapira highlighted that introducing fish during the optimal period, starting August to May, can significantly enhance their growth, resulting in larger sizes.
“So we are starting to have results from the Presidential scheme. Our people are going to have food, which gives them good nutritional value,” he said.
“They are going to have some income since money is going to exchange hands today with people buying some fish.”
He added that the Gosha VBU had created full-time employment opportunities for around 27 people.
“So this is actually a VBU where farming activities are flourishing from vegetable production to Presidential fisheries and livestock development,” he said.
Dep Min Marapira said the initiative sparked a flurry of activities, bringing closer the President’s vision of achieving an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
Director of Fisheries, Mr Milton Makumbe, added that the Presidential community fisheries scheme was making waves in rural communities, with VBUs successfully producing fish and creating new economic opportunities for locals.
“We established two fish ponds as per our flagship programme, the Presidential Community Fisheries Scheme. Our ponds are 20 metres by 10 metres, which means that each one accommodates 2 000 fish,” he said.
“We stocked this particular site sometime in November and we are here today at the invitation of the local councillor and the group running this particular VBU so that we witness the harvesting process.”
Mr Makumbe said Gosha VBU had achieved a significant milestone in its fish farming project with Tuesday’s harvesting.
“The unit’s success has sparked interest among community members, who are eager to establish their own fish ponds and also benefit from aquaculture.
“The Government is supporting this initiative through the fisheries and aquaculture resources production department, providing sex reversed fingerlings of the fast-growing Nile Tilapia oreochromis niloticus and coptodon rendalli species.
“Aquaculture is a promising option for people of all ages and our department is committed to supporting individuals and communities in pursuing fish farming,”
The successful harvest of over 200 to 300 kilogrammes of fish during the event showcased the potential of the VBUs. Locals sold the tilapia at a market price of US$4 /kg, with proceeds reinvested into further developing the VBUs and supporting community projects.
The fish farming initiative has sparked a wave of entrepreneurial spirit throughout Gosha village.
Young people, who once felt marginalised, are now actively involved in various aspects of the business, from farming to marketing and sales.
This hands-on experience provides them with essential skills that will serve them well in the future.
“Having something to do as youths keeps us focused and off the streets and we are learning values like teamwork and responsibility, which are essential for development,” one of the youths, Enock Murape, testified.
“Before the coming of fish, many of us were just sitting idle with no clear direction, now we have a purpose to earn a living.”
As the day came to a close, the community celebrated not just the successful harvest, but the promise of more to come.
The VBU members are planning to expand their fish farming operations, exploring new markets and diversifying their products.
The vision is clear: to create a sustainable ecosystem that empowers every member of the community.
Mr Garikai Murape, the village headman, said the coming of fish has revitalised our community.
“We are no longer just surviving, we are thriving and building a brighter future for ourselves and our children and every setback only made us more determined.
“We have learnt that we can turn our challenges into opportunities, if we work together.”
The arrival of fish at Gosha village is symbolic of more than just a successful harvest, it represents hope, resilience and the power of community collaboration.
The VBUs have transformed challenges into opportunities proving that with determination and support even the most marginalised communities can rise to greatness.
As the sun set over the fishponds, the people of Gosha village stood united, ready to embrace the future, a future filled with promise, growth and the unwavering spirit of resilience.
