Gwanda-Tshitaudze Constituency Centre commissioned

Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Matabeleland South Bureau

GWANDA-TSHITAUDZE Constituency Centre which was commissioned yesterday is set to usher in interactive engagements that will be crucial to the development of the constituency.

The constituency centre which was constructed by National Assembly member, Cde Fisani Moyo was commissioned by Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu on behalf of Acting President, Cde Kembo Mohadi.

The constituency centre houses the MP’s office, boardroom, five administrative offices, secretary’s office and a 500-seater community hall. The hall is accessible to the community. 

It will be used as a centre for skills development training programmes among other activities. The administration offices were created to handle different developmental and empowerment projects such as farming, mining, poultry, infrastructure development which will be targeting various stakeholders in the constituency. 

A constituency development committee led by Chief Masuku has been formed to spearhead development in the constituency. 

Speaking on behalf of Acting President Mohadi, Dr Ndlovu said the stance which Cde Fisani Moyo had taken of constructing a constituency centre was in line with the approach of the Zanu-PF Government of being accessible and visible to the people.

“The act which has been shown by Cde Fisani Moyo is a great sign of wisdom. As a good leader he realised that it’s important for him to have a centre where people will be free to come to him and share developmental needs and concerns. I would love to applaud Cde Moyo for this good work that he has done in serving his nation.

“President Mnangagwa always emphasises that ‘ilizwe lakhiwa ngabaninilo’. Development should come from us, no one will come from elsewhere to develop our nation. We can get assistance externally but we have to be at the forefront. We have to mobilise the resources that we have and work together as a unit to develop our areas,” she said.

Dr Ndlovu said Cde Moyo had been working closely with traditional leaders and Government departments which was crucial for a comprehensive development approach. 

She urged other MPs and aspiring MPs to emulate such developmental initiatives. She said each leader under  Zanu-PF was expected to leave a mark within their community during their tenure.

Dr Ndlovu urged various stakeholders in the province to take up investment opportunities that exist in the area. She said one of the major opportunities in Gwanda included construction of offices and houses.

Cde Moyo said he built the constituency centre to ensure his visibility to constituents during his five-year term and to facilitate development in his area.

“During my campaign period I was confident that I was going to win but I realised that it wasn’t going to be proper for people to be communicating with me through a cellphone. The purpose of the centre is that I can have a place to serve the constituents as that is the main purpose why people elected me into office and why the party entrusted me with this role.

“People need a place where they can air their concerns and where they can access development which they voted to see taking place in their areas. The trend which is there nowadays is that the MPs don’t have a central                                        point where constituents can access them and I want to change this,” he said.

Cde Moyo said during his five-year term he would ensure that he is available at the constituency centre as much as possible. He said on days where he would be attending to other duties there were competent personnel stationed at the centre to attend to the concerns of the people. 

Cde Moyo said the constituency centre was there to benefit all members of the constituency regardless of political affiliation. He said it was also open to members of other constituencies.

Also present at the event was Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Richard Moyo, Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife Cde Nqobizitha Ndlovu, Politburo members Cdes Richard Ndlovu and Abedinico Ncube, Zanu-PF political leaders, heads of Government departments and traditional leaders. — @DubeMatutu