Online Reporter
Walter Nyamukondiwa
Mashonaland West Bureau Chief
Government will continue to pursue stronger collaboration with communities and business to deliver housing and social support to previously marginalised persons, Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo has said.
Speaking at the joint jubilee celebrations since Kadoma became a city and handover of 15 ready to build residential stands, Minister Chombo said the Government needs the support of all players to uplift its people.
She said Kadoma had managed to evolve over the years with improved service delivery and infrastructure.
“Today, we celebrate 25 years since Kadoma became a city and over the years we have seen things changing and improving in terms of service delivery,” she said.
“We are pleased as a Government to see the impact of the whole of Government, whole of society and whole of business approach in uplifting and making a change in the lives of people.”
Kadoma mayor, Councillor Nigel Ruzario, said the jubilee celebrations marked a significant milestone for the city and highlighted the strength of collaboration with the private sector in the provision of housing.
“We are not just celebrating 25 years as a city but the relations with the private sector we have built over the years for the impact in society,” said Clr Ruzario.
The day also saw 15 people living with disabilities (PWD) in Kadoma getting ready-to-build residential stands from philanthropist, Professor Kudakwashe Taruberekera.
The life-transforming development brought tears of joy to beneficiaries.
Of the 15 stands, 10 people went to people with other disabilities and five stands went to people living with albinism.
They each got documentation for the stands and house plans.
Mrs Loretta Mufandaedza, a beneficiary, hailed Craft Properties chief executive officer, Prof Taruberekera, for the gesture as key in improving the lives of PWDs.
“Having your own place to live is the first step towards being empowered, and I am grateful for this gesture by Craft Properties,” she said.
“It’s not easy being a tenant and sometimes it gets worse because of the conditions we have as people with disabilities.”
Mrs Talent Chidindi said people with albinism faced stigma and discrimination when they look for accommodation.
Mrs Chidindi hailed the Government for creating an environment where the private sector plays a role in transforming the lives of people in society.
“Today is the happiest day of my life because a huge burden has been lifted from my shoulders. Professor Taruberekera has helped to restore dignity in the lives of people with disabilities,” she said.
Prof Taruberekera said the gesture was inspired by President Mnangagwa’s social transformation drive and the desire to contribute towards the realisation of Vision 2030 benchmark.
“We feel compelled to help in the attainment of President Mnangagwa and his Government’s development goals of uplifting the lives of people,” he said.
“With this gesture, we have helped to restore the dignity of people with disabilities and give them a foundation from which they can build their lives for the better.”
Craft Properties has championed several philanthropic activities, including the building of classroom blocks, drilling of boreholes, provision of Starlink kits to schools in remote areas.
It is expected to start the construction of a classroom block at Kaiva Primary School in Kariba District.
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