Online Reporter
Tanaka Nkala, Chronicle Reporter
CONSTRUCTION of Lake Gwayi-Shangani in Matabeleland North is progressing well, with the dam now 73 percent complete following renewed Government funding for the flagship national project.
The dam wall has reached 43 metres and will stand at 72 metres once fully completed.
Lake Gwayi-Shangani forms the first phase of the National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project (NMZWP), which also includes a 252-kilometre pipeline to Bulawayo and a 122-kilometre pipeline linking the dam to the Zambezi River.
Once operational, the mega-project will supply water to Bulawayo and benefit Hwange, Binga and Lupane districts.
The dam will also house a 15MW mini-hydro power plant and create opportunities in tourism, fisheries and irrigation, making it one of the most transformative water projects in the region.
In a statement, Zinwa head of corporate communications and marketing, Mrs Marjorie Munyonga, said concrete placement on the dam wall continues, with a cumulative 154,094.13m³ poured so far.
“Gap grouting of the dam construction joints has since been completed, covering a height of 31 metres from the dam foundations. Civil works on the mini-hydro power plant are now 50 percent complete, with foundations finalised in August this year,” she said.
Mrs Munyonga added that works at the hydro plant include installation of reinforcement bars, embedded parts and drainage pipes, as well as backfilling and construction of side walls.
To date, 20 298m³ of concrete has been placed on the power station.
The Government support has accelerated progress. Treasury recently released US$5 million for construction and has committed to disbursing the same amount monthly until completion.
Once finished, Lake Gwayi-Shangani will become Zimbabwe’s third-largest inland water body, after Tugwi-Mukosi and Lake Mutirikwi. Beyond guaranteeing a reliable water supply for Bulawayo, the project will enable hydroelectric generation, irrigation expansion and significant economic growth across the province.
As part of the NMZWP, the dam will connect to Bulawayo through a 252km pipeline fitted with six booster stations, ending at the planned 220ML/day Cowdray Park water treatment plant.
Along the route, 10 000 hectares of land will be put under irrigation for rural communities, creating a new agricultural greenbelt.
With a holding capacity of 634,27 million cubic metres, the dam is expected to offer a permanent solution to Bulawayo’s water shortages.
Valuation for properties affected by the project has been completed, covering 734 households in 27 villages, five business properties at Lubimbi and eight institutional centres.
The total estimated value stands at US$2 million. The relocation programme will provide new homes, improved infrastructure and potable water for all affected families.
First proposed in 1912, the project stalled repeatedly under colonial administration before Government revived it in 2012.
The Second Republic has since prioritised the development under NDS1 and Vision 2030, injecting substantial funding to ensure its completion.
Zinwa is collaborating with engineers from China International Water and Electric Corporation. At any given time, approximately 350 workers are on site, with the capacity to increase to 620 as efforts intensify to complete the project.
