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Kuda Bwititi
Political Editor
OUT of the dense forest of Manhize — an area that connects the three provinces of Midlands, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland West — a steel giant that is expected to become Africa’s biggest has risen.
Owned by China’s Dinson Iron and Steel Company (Disco), the Manhize steel plant is set to start production next month.
Over US$1,5 billion was invested into the plant over the past three years.
Carbon steel production will immensely benefit the local economy, as it will substitute imports, create jobs and, most critically, power the country’s industrialisation and modernisation drive.
Disco’s output is projected to steadily climb from 600 000 tonnes in the first phase to five million tonnes per year in the final phase. In an interview with The Sunday Mail during a tour of the plant last week, Disco public relations manager Mr Joseph Shoko said ahead of the commencement of steel production in the next few weeks, the plant has already started receiving inquiries from local and international buyers.
“We are expecting to start production in early to mid-June. The market is waiting for us. We have had many inquiries from several countries in the region. However, the local market, which imports almost 100 percent of our steel, especially from South Africa, is more important. Once we are at full capacity, we are going to be the largest steel producer in Africa.”
Mr Shoko said Disco has completed major components of the integrated steel plant.
“The sintering plant, which is responsible for shaping the metal powders into material for the final user, is almost 100 percent complete now. The blast furnace, which produces pig iron from iron ore for subsequent processing into steel, is also 100 percent complete, with just a few minor touches now required,” he said.
The company, he added, can now produce 70 megawatts (MW) of electricity on its own to power its activities.
“We also have a power plant that we started powering on May 23. This will produce 50MW and (we) will also be producing another 20MW from the blast furnace. That’s a total of 70MW of power.
“We have also completed construction of the 88kV powerline from Sherwood Block in Kwekwe. Already, we are energising the whole plant using this conventional power.
“We are not ending there. We envisage establishing another 400kV because this blast furnace is one of the total of six we expect to have at full capacity.”
Huge
An imposing feature at the plant is the workshop, which measures 3,5 hectares and is one of the largest in the country.
Disco’s administration manager, Mr Wang Xiang Kai, said after completion of the integrated plant’s construction, the workshop will be useful to various industries.
“It’s a workshop that can produce many products. For example, we can produce steel pipes that have a diameter of 1,8 metres. You can walk inside such a pipe. We are ready to contribute to mega projects like the Gwayi-Shangani Dam construction.
“ Our workshop is going to be useful for local authorities, farmers and irrigation companies,” said Mr Wang.
“The workshop will be at the nation’s disposal to provide fabrication services, machining and various products. We have already started producing items such as screws and hammers at the workshop.”
Zimbabwe Institute of Foundries chief operations officer Mr Dosman Mangisi said the country’s steel industry will witness a massive boost.
“The industry is importing raw materials. Manhize gives the industry pig iron, which means we are going to stop importing a huge number of products.
“You need to understand that the steel industry supports several key sectors of the economy such as mining, agriculture, construction, engineering and motoring,” he said.
“By having a local company producing homemade steel, we are going to save a lot of money that we were taking out. Industries will be able to retool because a lot of them are using antiquated equipment. This means greater efficiency for industries. The impact that the Manhize factory will have is going to be mammoth and transformative to the economy of Zimbabwe.”
More jobs
To date, the Manhize plant has employed more than 1 500 workers.
The biggest beneficiaries have been youths from nearby villages and the Chirumanzu-Zibagwe constituency, where the plant is located.
At full throttle, the project is estimated to create 7 000 jobs, with the number of workers rising to 20 000 in both upstream and downstream industries.
Mr Wang said employees who are currently working for the company have also benefitted from new skills.
“Our local employees are attached to specialists from China. As we speak, 80 percent of the employees at our company are now semi-skilled in different forms of artisanship because of that training.”
Smart city
Another exciting offshoot of the Manhize integrated steel plant is the creation of a new smart city. Chief director for spatial planning and development in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works Mr Shingirayi Mushamba said the ministry has come up with a roadmap for the development of the new smart city on 2 300 hectares that have already been secured.
“There are four key issues currently being addressed to facilitate the smooth rollout of the development plan: transfer of land from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development to the ministry; cancellation of leases for mining claims located within the proposed city area by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development; establishment of an administrative organ to run the new city; and provision of off-site and on-site infrastructure,” Mr Mushamba said.
“Regarding the first two issues, the ministry has since engaged the Ministry of Lands and that of Mines with requests for their cooperation.
As for the third matter, the ministry has drafted recommendations for the establishment of a development agency, akin to the Mount Hampden administrative setup, while the final issue shall be addressed through PPPs (public-private partnerships), with Dinson pledging substantial support.”
He said the main features of the smart city include a green development strategy incorporating technological innovation for climate resilience and environmental sustainability, as well as development anchored in information and communication technology.
He added: “Manhize University of Metallurgy and a polytechnic will complement the giant steel enterprise through research and development.
“There will also be a state-of-the-art trauma centre, five-star referral medical complex, world-class golf course, casino, cultural centre and sports arena for the smart city.”
Exciting times
Mr Mushamba said to enhance connectivity, Disco had upgraded the Manhize-Mavise road and constructed a bridge across Munyati River.
“As part of its corporate social responsibility, the company also pledged to construct a hospital and a police station within the proposed city, provide a rail link connecting to Mvuma and Chivhu, upgrade the roads to Chivhu and Gweru, construct a dam and provide electricity through a dedicated 330kV power line from the Sherwood substation in Kwekwe.”
Most of the communities surrounding the Manhize plant are small-scale farmers.
They have already started to reap benefits as the plant provides a ready market for their produce.
Ms Feby Mombeyarara, of Baru village 62, whose plot is located near the plant, said: “At our plot, we specialise in crops such as cabbages, tomatoes and onions.
The Manhize plant provides a ready market for us. This has helped us to save on transport costs, instead of travelling to Chivhu or Mvuma to sell our produce.”
A youthful entrepreneur, Edson Seremwe, has opened a shop next to the plant and says he is getting brisk business.
“The plant has employed many people I know from this community . . . At my shop, virtually all my customers are from the plant. Business is brisk, especially on paydays.”
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