Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, Zimpapers Reporter
MATABELELAND North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Richard Moyo, has urged Zimbabweans in the diaspora to partner with the Government in developing rural communities. He made the call after commissioning three solar-powered boreholes in Umguza District last Friday.
“Umguza District is facing water challenges, and as such, we are thankful to Bhungane Investments, led by Mr Innocent Hadebe, for drilling solar-powered boreholes. Such kind gestures go a long way in uplifting the lives of the community. I thank the local leadership led by Councillor Brown, village heads, and the whole community.
“I would like to appeal to our sons and daughters in the diaspora to partner with the Government in developing our communities,” said Minister Moyo.
The commissioning ceremony was held in Ward 6, Heany Junction, and organised by the local councillor, Mrs Busisiwe Brown. The boreholes are expected to ease severe water shortages that have forced villagers to walk long distances to access potable water.
Clr Brown said her ward, which comprises 19 villages and about 300 homesteads, had been struggling with water challenges for years. She revealed that Village 3 was the worst affected after its only borehole broke down.
“The only borehole servicing the village developed a fault and stopped functioning. As such, villagers had to walk long distances to fetch water from another village, which is quite far away,” she said.
Clr Brown warned that the situation posed safety risks, particularly for women.
“Walking along footpaths in the bush to fetch water is not safe, as it exposes them to criminals who could sexually attack, rob, or possibly harm them. From now on, they do not have to walk long distances, and that saves their time,” she said.
Clr Brown, a gender-based violence activist, added that the boreholes would help reduce conflicts at water points.
“I have dealt with quite a number of cases of villagers who fight or quarrel when one of them has skipped the queue. Some quarrels escalate to fights and hurling insults at each other. The commissioning of the boreholes will bring peace to the community,” she said.
Villagers have welcomed the development, saying it will improve health and livelihoods. Ms Emma Nyoni from Village 6B said they previously relied on unsafe water sources.
“We faced challenges as we had to go to other villages to fetch water. At times, we fetched water from sources that were not protected, and that exposed our lives to diseases such as dysentery and cholera,” she said.
Mr Philani Moyo from Village 8 said the new boreholes would enable them to start income-generating projects.
“Water sources such as wells are not safe, but now we are happy because we will fetch water from a protected source, and that plays a key role in preserving our health. We will start nutritional gardens and irrigation to improve our lives, as that will also be a source of employment,” he said.
Bhungane Investments representative Mrs Priscilla Vundhla pledged continued support for development projects in the area.
“Today is more than the commissioning of three boreholes. It is the commissioning of intuthuko yesigaba, ukuxhasana, lobumbano — a celebration of possibilities that lie ahead for Umguza Ward 6. Indeed, a lot of goodness is on the horizon as we will partner with the Government in developing the area and drilling more boreholes in local communities,” said Mrs Vundhla.
