Chronicle Editor
Amanda Mlevu, Sunday News Reporter
A NUMBER of positives continue to be recorded in the integration of the San community in Tsholotsho in the socio-economic and political aspects of life following Government interventions aimed at empowering them socially and economically.
Tsholotsho District Development Coordinator Mr Aaron Gono said the previously marginalised community was now empowered with an uptake of Government’s agriculture initiatives such as Intwasa/Pfumvudza as well as the poultry and goat schemes having been recorded.
“When you are looking at the San community statistics you will realize that they are integrating well into the national development discourse. Previously they had no essential national documents which made their participation in national programmes difficult,” said Mr Gono.
He said there had been an increase in the enrolment of learners from the San community and the Government had made it easier for them by giving them easy access to education through the construction of Muchina Primary School.
“The provision of birth certificates and national identity documents made it easier for them to begin their educational journey and ensure that they are part of the community. They can now partake in developmental programmes just like anyone else.
“The Government also built Muchina Primary School, which became the first primary school in the San community and was commissioned in December 2019. The school effectively reduced the walking distance for the learners who were walking 20 kilometres to access education making it justifiable for the children to drop out of school,” he said.
Mr Gono said the San were adapting and blending well with other members of the community.
“The statistics of enrolment at Muchina Primary and Secondary last year was close to 300, and this year the number increased. There is a positive response on their enrolment in schools,” he said.
He added that the community was taking part in Government projects aimed at empowering them with a good number in Ward Eight taking part in Intwasa/Pfumvudza agric programmes.
“They are doing an immaculate job in taking up Government projects, they came and joined the poultry and goat schemes and they are doing very well,” said Mr Gono.
He said the communities around them were also appreciating them and it was getting to a point where one could hardly differentiate between them from other communities.
Mr Gono also said they were appealing for devolution funds from the Government in order to be able to provide them with water from Gariya Dam.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter