Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
MASHONALAND West Province is targeting the delivery of 100 000 housing units by 2030 under National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) as the Government intensifies efforts to reduce the national housing backlog through partnerships with the private sector, local authorities and contractors.
The ambitious target builds on progress made during NDS1, under which over 30 000 housing units were delivered across the province through collaborative development initiatives.
Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo said the province was leveraging a whole-of-society approach to accelerate housing delivery and improve access to decent accommodation.
“The whole-of-society approach continues to be a key driver of development in our province. We commend private sector players such as Vine City for heeding His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call that ‘Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo’,” said Minister Chombo.
“Through collective efforts, we managed to deliver more than 30 000 housing units during NDS1, and we are now targeting 100 000 units by 2030.”
She expressed confidence that the province would achieve the target through sustained collaboration among Government institutions, investors, developers and local authorities.
Mashonaland West currently has 66 housing development projects at various stages of implementation, with the combined capacity to produce over 100 000 residential units. The developments are expected to significantly contribute to reducing the national housing deficit while promoting orderly urbanisation and modern human settlements in line with Vision 2030.
Vine City Housing Trust developer Mr Mind Musokeri said young entrepreneurs were increasingly contributing to national development through housing delivery and employment creation.
“As a young Zimbabwean entrepreneur, I strongly believe that the youth have a critical role to play in the attainment of Vision 2030,” he said.
“Through Vine City, we are developing modern and standard housing units that complement Government’s Urban Renewal and Human Settlements programmes.
“Beyond providing accommodation, these projects are creating employment opportunities for young people and stimulating economic activity within our communities.”
Mashonaland West Council of Contractors chairperson Mr Kainosi Gwazeni praised Government’s inclusive development agenda, saying it had opened opportunities for local contractors to participate in major housing and infrastructure projects.
“We commend the whole-of-society approach being championed by Government in national development,” he said.
“As contractors, our objective is to complement Government efforts in delivering housing units and reducing the national housing backlog.
“We are particularly grateful for the ease-of-doing-business reforms that have created opportunities for local contractors to participate meaningfully in infrastructure and housing development projects.”
Chinhoyi Municipality Mayor Councillor Owen Charuza said the local authority was working closely with developers to ensure housing projects adhered to planning regulations and national development standards.
“As council, we are maintaining close collaboration with developers and contractors to ensure full compliance with planning regulations and national policies,” he said.
“We are also monitoring the provision of critical infrastructure such as roads, water reticulation systems and sewer networks so that housing developments meet the standards envisioned under Vision 2030 and the Zimbabwe Human Settlements Policy.”
The province’s housing drive is expected to play a key role in advancing the Government’s broader agenda of providing affordable, modern and sustainable housing while supporting economic growth and job creation.
