Online ReporterJudith Phiri, Zimpapers Writer
THE Hwange Local Board (HLB) has identified land for the establishment of its first home industries as it responds to the steady rise in entrepreneurs operating backyard industries.
In a latest update, HLB Acting Director of Spatial Planning and Land Management, Mr Themba Sibanda, said a 4 000-square-metre piece of land has been surveyed and pegged to accommodate entrepreneurs engaged in carpentry, welding and leather-products manufacturing.
“We have seen a surge in backyard industries, which has resulted in increased noise and disorder in residential areas. This created the need to relocate and regulate these operations by providing a designated space where they can operate from in an orderly manner,” he said in a recent newsletter.
Although a large proportion of Hwange’s urban adult population is employed in the mining and energy sectors, a significant number of self-employed individuals operate backyard industries, engaging in activities such as carpentry, welding and panel beating, among others.
A home industry or cottage industry is a small-scale business or craft production run from a person’s home, using skills, local materials, and often family labour to create goods like crafts, food, or offer services (sewing, baking, repairs) for local or wider markets, empowering individuals and contributing to economic growth.
“The establishment of a home industry space has been provided for in the 2026 budget and we anticipate accommodating 35 entrepreneurs at the site,” said Mr Sibanda.
“The area will be properly fenced, equipped with electricity and serviced with ablution facilities.”
Government has mandated local authorities to provide decent, designated working spaces for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and informal traders.
This is part of a broader Government initiative to formalise the informal economy, boost production and ensure the sector contributes to the national fiscus and job creation.
As part of its efforts to provide adequate working space for informal traders, HLB is also constructing a state-of-the-art flea market.
Construction work stalled more than two years ago due to funding constraints. The project is being financed through the Devolution Fund.
Council has also identified strategic locations for the establishment of market stalls.
Zimbabwe’s micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are a huge economic force, contributing over 60 percent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and employing about 4,8 million workers.
Meanwhile, Hwange Local Board is also focused on scaling up road infrastructure upgrade as part of efforts to improve service delivery and enhance the town’s attractiveness to investors.
HLB corporate communications officer, Mr Dumisani Nsingo, is on record saying the council was seized with rehabilitating drainage systems, particularly in flood-prone areas.
It has also undertaken the paving of designated bus stop areas and the construction of kerbs at major intersections along main roads.
\
With the support of the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) funds, HLB says it intends to accelerate upgrade works.
“A portion of the Zinara fund was allocated to the procurement and installation of road traffic signs, the construction of kerbs and ongoing routine road maintenance.
HLB is also looking forward to constructing bus stops at various designated public transport drop-off to enhance passenger safety, while a local company has also pledged to build bus stops in the Chibondo and Baobab suburbs.
The council is planning to construct a one-kilometre stretch of road in the Baobab Extension while its partners are already carrying out road construction in the Empumalanga Phase 4 area.
Bongani Ndlovu