Online Reporter
Debra Matabvu-Herald Reporter
THE Government will continue to partner private sector players to fast-track housing projects nationwide as part of efforts to promote social stability and economic growth, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has said.
Speaking after touring 48 newly-built apartments at the Waneka housing development in Mbare yesterday, Prof Ncube said the initiative was in line with the national development agenda, adding that Government would continue adopting models that guaranteed continuity in housing construction.
The Waneka Phase Three project, a joint venture between the City of Harare and the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ), has delivered 336 apartments since 2006.
“Altogether, the IDBZ housing pipeline runs into several thousand housing units and student beds nationwide, with a project portfolio worth hundreds of millions of US dollars,” Prof Ncube said.
“This is truly a national spread, covering Harare, Bulawayo, Kadoma, Lupane, Gwanda, Masvingo, Mutare, Chipinge, Plumtree and other cities. Importantly, IDBZ is not doing this alone. The bank is acting as a catalyst for public-private partnerships (PPPs). It is bringing together local authorities, Government ministries, private developers, financiers and contractors. It is showing how housing delivery can attract private capital while ensuring affordability and sustainability.”
Prof Ncube said as the country transitions to the National Development Strategy (NDS) 2, Government will ensure housing development continues to drive growth and attract investment.
“All of this is firmly aligned with our national development agenda. Under Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), we are committed to accelerating housing delivery as a driver of both social stability and economic growth,” he added.
“We are now preparing for the transition to National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2). This next phase will build upon the gains of NDS1, scaling up delivery, embedding PPP models, and ensuring that housing development continues to contribute to inclusive growth and investment promotion.”
He called upon players from all sectors of the economy to play their part in the housing sector development.
Prof Ncube said, “As we celebrate Waneka Phase 3 today, let us be clear that this is not an isolated success. It is part of a larger momentum sweeping across Zimbabwe. We are building homes, we are building communities, and we are building value. In doing so, we are also building investor confidence, catalysing economic growth, and delivering on our promise of a better Zimbabwe.”
Housing and Social Amenities Minister Zhemu Soda commended the partnership for the immense contribution towards housing in Zimbabwe.
“We are very grateful for what we have seen here, about 48 units that are ready to be occupied any time,” he said. “The conversation that we had, indicating that about 39 have already been sold out with only a few units remaining, shows that there is a huge appetite for accommodation in Zimbabwe. And we are very thankful about what IDBZ has done. Of course, this is the third phase.
“They have also shown us what they did during the first phase, the second phase, a total of 288 units. It’s a huge contribution when we talk of the housing backlog that we had in 2020. Already, there are a lot of efforts that have been made, and this is another step in the right direction.”
IDBZ chairman, Dr Kupukile Mlambo, said the bank will continue working with the Government to provide safe and affordable housing for the nation.
