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Fungai Lupande-Mash Central Bureau
Mt Darwin District has started reaping the benefits from being chosen to host the national Independence Day celebrations, with 150 jobs created for local women and men so far with a lot of small businesses preparing to offer everything from snacks upwards in the area and at the 350 special business booths at the site.
For the first time since 1980, Independence Day celebrations will be held in a rural setting, with Mt Darwin High School being the venue.
The district is experiencing a business boom in areas such as accommodation, food and retail.
Accommodation in Mt Darwin and Bindura is now fully booked, ahead of next week’s Independence celebrations.
Mrs Sheillah Dalache, who is employed as a general hand, said she was excited to have obtained a job opportunity.
She thanked the Government and Pfura Rural District Council for prioritising local people when recruiting.
“I have several business ideas that I couldn’t implement due to lack of money. Now I am getting paid and I can save the money to start some projects,” she said.
“We appreciate that the local people are the first priority when it comes to job opportunities. We are hopeful that this stadium will continue to generate funds for the community.
“We will sit down with the local leadership to come up with a way on how this stadium can be maintained by our youths so that they remain employed.”
Mrs Dalache said if they could have youths either maintaining the stadium or doing sporting activities, then drug and substance abuse would be curbed.
Independence Day celebrations, she added, will allow her and the rest of the people in Mt Darwin to meet, wine and dine with the President and other senior Government officials.
Mrs Edith Bonse from Ward 21 said both women and men have equal opportunities when it comes to selections for part time jobs that have arisen in the build up to Independence Day.
“I am happy and we thank God for allowing such a big event to come to Mt Darwin. This is our chance to meet top Government officials, and above all, get some money from the jobs we are doing during preparations for the big day,” she said.
Engineer Emson Chitsungo from Pfura RDC said they have employed about 150 local women and men to maintain the site and provide manual labour at the venue.
He said the local authority was gender sensitive in the employment criteria.
Village head Christopher Gochera (left) and Godfrey Kapingidza help put crosses on 850 graves of former freedom fighters, war collaborators and villagers killed by the Rhodesian forces during the liberation struggle and thrown into a mine shaft at Chibondo in Mt Darwin. The Fallen Heroes Trust exhumed the remains and reburied them recently. — Picture Innocent Makawa.
“These people are helping in the construction of the stadium and maintenance of the venue. With their help, we have managed to finish work in a short space of time,” he said.
“We are finishing work on April 14 and handover the stadium to relevant authorities. The district is experiencing a business boom with all accommodation in Mt Darwin and Bindura now fully booked.
“Already, we have vendors selling their wares at the venue and we are creating a selling space for 350 small to medium enterprises.”
Eng Chitsungo said the vendors will be selling packed food, fruits and vegetables under the guidance of the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
The development has increased revenue to council, which will translate to improved service delivery.
Mr Patrick Karambakuwa, leader of SMEs in Mt Darwin, called on Zimbabweans to descend in Mt Darwin and experience the culture, food and hospitality of the people.
He said the Korekore people of Mt Darwin are loving and caring.
“This is a lifetime event and we thank the President for honouring Mt Darwin with the 43rd Independence Day celebrations. We know the country has many beautiful places and it means a lot for the President to come here. Hosting this event is going to transform our lives as SMEs.
“We are included in the planning meetings for this event. Our hope is that this event will develop our district and economically empower entrepreneurs.”
Mr Karambakuwa said they have businesspeople in all sectors including tailoring, value addition, vegetable and fruit vendors as well as fast food outlets.
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