Massive transformation in Kariba, Mbire, Binga

Walter Nyamukondiwa Kariba Bureau

The partnership between the Government and Actionaid through the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund (ZRBF) has transformed communities in Kariba, Mbire and Binga districts through solar-powered water schemes, classroom blocks and self-contained agricultural innovation hubs.

Initially targeting 45 105 households, the programme expanded to cover 53 589 households because of the projects’ impact in tackling climate change.

It seeks to protect development gains in communities, promote adoptive and adaptive capacities as a result of shocks.

The Crop and Livestock Innovation Centres (CLICS) get technical expertise from Government departments including Agritex and the Department of Veterinary Services, with demonstration centres to promote good agricultural practices.

It also has greenhouses providing conditions for the nurturing and creation of seedbanks supporting horticultural projects and storerooms.

There are innovation hubs at Chebere in Village 1, Makande and another one in Siakobvu.

Zambezi Valley communities experience some of the major shocks caused by climate change and generally high temperatures leading to droughts.

Communities learn and implement at household level while they can also access artificial insemination services for a small fee to improve rural livestock genetics.

It seeks to curb in-breeding which has seen herds getting smaller in size.

The programme also extends to goats with at least 75 goats including the Boer goat breeds from South Africa and Kalahari Red breed from Namibia.

Solar piped water schemes have been implemented at Kudzanayi School supporting at least 3 000 households, who are now into horticulture production and have easier access to running water.

Mrs Chengetai Kasere welcomed the development saying it was transforming rural communities, which can now afford to look after their families.

“This is a good initiative that has transformed lives in rural communities of Makande over the years. We are now able to feed, clothe and send our children to school,” said Mrs Kasere.

“We are now participating in the economy through agriculture and we hope to expand our participation through improving or adding value to our produce including vegetables. Our food and nutrition status has significantly improved.”

Chairperson at the Chebere Innovation Hub Mr Samuel Muzenda said the centre had the potential to transform Makande into a greenbelt.

“We would like to than ActionAid and Government for such a collaborative initiative that can only help in improving lives in Makande.

“We only wish the programme is supported until it can stand on its own,” he said.

The programme also saw the construction of two classroom blocks at Chitete Secondary School which had makeshift grass structures for the 250 children enrolled.

The two classroom blocks will accommodate Form 1 and 2 classes while work is expected to start soon on the second block to be funded through devolution extended to Nyaminyami Rural District Council.

A classroom block has been constructed at Chitete Secondary School in Makande, Kariba District where lessons were being conducted in makeshift grass thatched structures.

At least 250 secondary school learners from Form 1 to 4 were conducting lessons in thatched makeshift classes that exposed them to bad weather conditions.

School development Committee chairperson Mr Mark Chauke said the school started off with around 50 learners in a bid to reduce the distances that they walked to the nearest schools.

“Before establishment of Chitete Secondary School in 2020 our children had to walk distances of about 12km to Nyangwizhu, Makande and Kudzanayi schools.

“They faced challenges of being cut off when rivers are full, with some even drowning and being attacked by wild animals,” said Mr Chauke.

He said the school enrolment was expected to increase.

Another villager Mr Tarben Chasara welcomed the development saying more blocks should be constructed to accommodate all learners.

Provincial education director Mr Jason Dzveta said the school committee should also ensure that houses for teachers have been built to facilitate smooth registration of the school.

ActionAid director Mr Joy Mabenge said the impact of the programme on communities was an offshoot of collaborative work between their organisation and Government.

“The combo of interventions we are handing over to the communities after six years of collaborative work leaves them with nutrition centres, solar powered water schemes and innovation centres that will help improve our livestock breeds,” said Mr Mabenge.

“In all this projects we are mindful of Government’s Vision 2030 ideals which aspires for Upper Middle Economy status which requires that communities have technologies for the future.”

Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Mary Mliswa-Chikoka welcomed the handover of the project to communities adding that Government departments should continue to provide technical support.

‘We must understand these developments in the context of Vision 2030 and everyone should embrace where Government is taking us.

“One of the ways of ensuring we achieve the goals and ideals of Vision 2030 is to participate in such programmes as shown here at the Chebere innovation hub because it lays the foundation for solid knowledge on agriculture and its processes for the betterment of communities,” she said.

Minister Mliswa said the innovation hub should expand and involve more people in the community as it had excess capacity.