Online Reporter
Dorothy N Sithole
WOMEN’S groups in Ward 19, Insiza North, have received a major boost after Ward 23 Shadow Councillor Cde Sikhanyisiwe Nkomo donated cash, goats and pledged farming inputs worth about US$4 100 to support income-generating projects and improve household food security.
The empowerment programme, held at Mr Clifford Ncube’s homestead in Village 3 on Tuesday, was organised by the Hlokomo Group and brought together community members, traditional leaders and war veterans.
As part of the initiative, Cde Nkomo donated US$1 100 in cash, which was immediately used to purchase 20 goats that were distributed to beneficiaries under a pass-on scheme.
She also pledged a further US$3 000 worth of farming inputs and equipment, including US$1 200 for drilling a community well, two earth auger drilling machines, a water pump, eight 50kg bags of broiler mash, 100 Road Runner chicks and four solar spark starter lights valued at US$102 each.
Five women’s groups used the occasion to outline challenges affecting their projects.
The Dzenya Group said it required fencing materials for its nutrition garden, while the Nkukhu Makhaya Group cited the high cost of poultry feed. The Seliphumile Ilanga Group appealed for assistance in securing markets for its broilers, while the Ndosakusa Group highlighted the lack of a reliable water source for gardening.
Responding to the concerns, Cde Nkomo pledged to purchase all broilers produced by the groups for supply to workers at her mine and directed that the Ward 19 Councillor’s office coordinate a goat pass-on scheme to ensure the livestock programme benefits more households over time.
Addressing beneficiaries, Cde Nkomo thanked Ward 19 residents for supporting Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3, which was recently signed into law by President Mnangagwa.
She encouraged communities to embrace farming as a business and work together to improve livelihoods.
“Fence your gardens. Feed your chickens. Drill your water wells. Work together in unity and peace. These projects will lift your families out of poverty and build strong communities,” she said.
Ward 19 Councillor Cde Thulani Sibanda commended the donation, saying it would positively transform the lives of beneficiaries.
“Since 2018 she has been supporting ZANU PF events and meetings at district level. Today she has finally broken her silence in Ward 19 with her philanthropic work,” he said.
One elderly resident described the donation as unprecedented.
“I was born at Phaphama but I have never witnessed anything like this before. Someone pumping from their own pocket to empower our people is truly a wonder from heaven,” the villager said.
Among those who attended the programme were War Veterans chairman Cde Joel Mhlanga, village headmen Mr Elphas Msipha and Mr Lovemore Moyo, as well as Mrs Lilian Msipha.
The programme ended with beneficiaries receiving goat tags and pledge sheets before celebrating the donations through song and dance.
Ends
derick.khumalo