Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
A TOTAL 136 boreholes will be drilled in different parts of Matabeleland South to support village business units as part of independence legacy projects being implemented in the province.
The Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe, said the borehole project will have significant impact in the community as it will ensure improved access to water and food security.
VBUs are Government-driven community based enterprises in rural Zimbabwe, designed to promote rural industrialisation, create employment and improve livelihoods by shifting from subsistence to market oriented agriculture.
Through shared ownership, irrigation development and training, VBUs empower rural communities by generating income, ensuring food security and providing access to markets and essential services.
“Among the legacy projects that are going to be implemented in the province, as we will be hosting this year’s Independence Celebrations, is the drilling of boreholes and establishment of Village Business Units across all 12 constituencies in the province,” said Nguluvhe.
“So far, over 40 boreholes have been drilled in Kezi and they are being further developed to VBUs. Each constituency in the province is going to benefit and in total we will have 136 legacy boreholes and VBUs. It’s not just Kezi, which is hosting Independence Celebrations but the entire province and therefore the entire province should benefit from development projects.”
Minister Nguluvhe said in addition to the VBUs that have been established under various projects, the legacy VBUs will ensure that land, which is lying idle, is fully utilised.
He said the province is blessed with abundant water bodies and good soils, which if fully exploited could improve livelihoods and eradicate poverty.
Minister Nguluvhe urged villagers that will benefit from the project to ensure maximised production and to sustain their schemes. He said the boreholes will bring relief in a number of villages were community members were walking long distances to reach water prints.
The VBUs model is envisaged to spur rural industrialisation and modernisation in rural communities. These business units will drive rural industrialisation, which in turn will spur rural development.
The business units are being established under the ongoing Presidential Rural Development Programme.
“Government’s thrust in establishing VBUs is to increase productivity to ensure food security. Every piece of land, which can be used for agriculture should be utilised. Our communities are going to benefit significantly from the water bodies as they will have access to clean water at a reasonable distance,” said the minister.
“The boreholes will also benefit institutions such as schools and clinics. We would like to express our gratitude to His Excellency President Mnangagwa for bringing us significant development as a province.”
Other legacy projects that will be implemented in the province include construction of 41 Science laboratories, which are expected to be operational by year end.
Other developments that will be done include renovation of the classroom blocks, construction of eight classroom blocks and eight modern teachers cottages at Mahetshe Primary in Maphisa, which has been identified as the venue for the Children’s Party. Two ECD classroom blocks will also be established. A computer lab will be established at the school while the sports field will be upgraded.
Mahetshe Secondary also in Maphisa has been identified as the music gala venue. A 700 hundred seater hall and four more classroom blocks will be constructed. An A-level block, computer lab, staff toilets, two Science laboratories, administration block, teacher’s cottages and staff toilets will also be constructed.
Other projects that will be implemented include construction of the Gwanda- Maphisa Road, which is underway.
Construction of the road will enhance connectivity and economic activity in the region. The Gwanda-Maphisa Road connects several districts and links vital economic centres, including Arda Antelope, the Makwe Irrigation Scheme, two border posts, and various tourist sites in Matobo.
Other works that will be carried out by local authorities and Government ministries and agencies include rehabilitation of 2 600km road network throughout the province. Rehabilitation and completion of Kezi Hospital. The hospital will also be equipped to enable effective service delivery.
This year’s Independence Day celebrations and Children’s Party will be held in Maphisa in Matabeleland South Province followed by Masvingo in 2027.
The venues have been selected in line with the Cabinet-approved criteria for the selection of a venue for hosting the annual Independence Day and Children’s Party celebrations.
The 2nd Republic’s Devolution Agenda catalysed a transformative shift, decentralising these events and instituting a rotational format across the 10 provinces, commencing in 2021.
The rotation of provinces hosting Independence Day and Children’s Party Celebrations has seen Harare, 2021; Bulawayo, 2022; Mashonaland Central, 2023; Manicaland, 2024; and Midlands, 2025 hosting in the last five years.
The goal is to use these events to drive infrastructure growth in targeted areas. — @DubeMatutu.
Peter Tanyanyiwa