Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata in Nyaminyami, Kariba
THE Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, in partnership with African Parks and the Matusadona Conservation Trust, has handed over 11 motorcycles to human-wildlife conflict monitors in Nyaminyami District to boost reaction capacity.
The handover ceremony, which also marked the commissioning of the Chipfudze Community Nutritional Garden and a borehole benefiting 30 households in Kasvisva Village under Chief Nebiri, was held in Chifudze, Kariba Rural.
ZimParks Director-General Professor Edson Gandiwa said the motorcycles would reduce response times to incidents involving wildlife while supporting conservation and community livelihoods.
“We are here to preserve our wildlife, but we cannot do that without the help of our communities,” he said.
“Through our 20-year partnership with the Matusadona Conservation Trust, we are ensuring that wildlife preservation goes hand in hand with improving livelihoods.
“With the six gardens we have commissioned today, produce will be sold to the National Park, while the motorcycles will allow rapid response to human-wildlife conflict cases. Together, we are working to achieve Vision 2030.”
Prof Gandiwa said ZimParks had already employed 200 locals through Matusadona National Park and was committed to leaving no one and no place behind in its conservation drive.
District Development Coordinator (DDC) Mr Desmond Gumbochuma applauded the initiative, saying it aligned with President Mnangagwa’s rural industrialisation agenda.
“The nutrition garden will go a long way in uplifting this community. This is in line with President Mnangagwa’s vision to eradicate poverty by 2030,” he said.
“We must protect our infrastructure and continue initiating projects that develop our communities.”
Matusadona Conservation Trust Park Manager, Mr Mike Pelham, explained the public-private partnership model underpinning the programme, which began in 2020.
“When we came in, we realised this is one of Zimbabwe’s most difficult agricultural zones. So instead of only focusing on wildlife conservation, we developed projects under three umbrellas: livelihood improvement and food security, education, and human-wildlife conflict mitigation. Four years later, we are seeing results — from thriving gardens to improved community relations. These are projects implemented by the community, and they are world-class.”
Traditional leaders and local authorities also welcomed the projects.
Headman Lucas Mangava said the initiatives were already changing lives.
“These projects will go a long way in uplifting our community. We now have water, a functional garden, and support in dealing with human-wildlife conflicts. This shows us that development can happen even in rural areas like ours,” he said.
Acting CEO of Nyaminyami Rural District Council, Mr Peter Chinodakufa, echoed the same sentiments and said the partnership had brought visible benefits.
“We are happy to see these projects taking root. They complement council programmes and are directly improving livelihoods. This is exactly the kind of collaboration we need for sustainable development,” said Mr Chinodakufa.
Chief Nebiri, born William Nebiri, said the handover of motorcycles and community projects was a milestone for his people.
“As a leader, I am grateful for these developments in my village. The nutritional garden and borehole are already making a difference to 30 households, and the motorcycles will help us respond quickly to wildlife threats. We thank ZimParks, MCT and all partners for remembering our communities,” said Chief Nebiri.
