Mkhululi Ncube-Bulawayo Bureau
GOVERNMENT is pushing for the adoption of modern construction technologies, innovative building materials and denser settlements to lower housing costs and accelerate delivery towards its target of one million housing units by 2030.
National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Professor Paul Mavima made the call in a speech read on his behalf by Deputy Minister Musa Ncube at the official opening of the ministry’s 2027 Strategic Plan Review Workshop in Bulawayo yesterday.
He said the construction industry must embrace efficient, environmentally friendly building methods and partner closely with research institutions to help clear the national housing backlog.
“The time has come to actively transform our construction landscape through modern, efficient and sustainable technologies. As we review our progress, we must evaluate how effectively we are adopting innovative building materials and methods that reduce costs, promote environmental stewardship and enhance knowledge transfer within our construction sector,” said Prof Mavima.
To curb urban sprawl and optimise infrastructure, Government is targeting 40 percent densification in line with the Zimbabwe National Human Settlements Policy.
“As we continue to tackle the ever-growing housing backlog, we must adopt strategies that maximise land utilisation. Densification should become central to our planning, allowing us to provide more housing units without excessively consuming prime land,” said Prof Mavima.
Achieving the one million housing target under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), he noted, requires concerted collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Meanwhile, the ministry is overhauling outdated 1977 building by-laws to introduce a Unified National Building Code. Prof Mavima urged stakeholders to finalise the framework on schedule, ensuring it promotes green building practices and innovation without compromising safety or quality standards.
Reviewing 2026 milestones, the minister reported the completion of 105 housing units in Beitbridge, Tynwald in Harare and Dombotombo in Marondera. Government also facilitated the purchase of 29 houses for senior civil servants and rehabilitated 54 State-owned houses during the year.
Under the Kwangu/Ngakwami Presidential Title Deeds Programme in Cowdray Park, Bulawayo, 8 000 securitised offer letters have been issued against a target of 13 000 beneficiaries. In addition, 1 389 properties are now ready for title deed transfer out of a 2026 target of 1 500.
Prof Mavima called for tighter interdepartmental co-ordination to accelerate the issuance of title deeds.
Speaking at the same workshop, Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube, represented by Director of Economic Affairs Mr Samuel Saunyama, appealed for urgent funding to address civil servants’ accommodation shortages in the city.
“We appeal for your prioritisation of funding for Iminyela and Cowdray Park Flats so that construction can commence and civil servants can access accommodation. The Government housing stock for civil servants is very limited and inadequate, considering that Bulawayo also serves Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces,” she said.
