Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba recently in KARIBA
WHEN the ferry service between Kariba Urban and Chalala Fishing Camp stopped after the August 11, 2026 tragedy that claimed 97 lives, livelihoods were disrupted, businesses suffered and communities became harder to reach.
For Ms Eunice Rwodzi, director of Madhuve Fisheries, the interruption meant difficulties reaching fishing communities where her business depended on for supplies.
But the launch on Friday of the privately owned Silverstone ferry is set to bring relief to expectant residents, traders and fishers.
“Before the tragedy, we would use the RIDA ferry to conduct our day-to-day business from Kariba Urban to Chalala.
“After the tragedy, we faced difficulties travelling along the route, so we welcome this move by Government,” said Ms Rwodzi.
The Silverstone ferry, operated by Most High Ferries (Pvt) Ltd, owned by Mr Hillard Mangove, is expected to begin services this week, restoring a vital water connection between Kariba Urban and Chalala Fishing Camp.
The route was previously serviced by the RIDA ferry, commonly known as Mbuya Nehanda, which capsized while travelling to Chalala, killing 97 people.
However, 77 people survived the accident, which has become the deadliest in the country’s history. The disaster, which President Mnangagwa subsequently declared a State of Disaster, had consequences beyond the immediate loss of life, with communities that rely heavily on water transport facing difficulties moving people, fish, ice and other goods.
The newly certified ferry can carry 60 passengers and four crew members and will operate from 6am to 6pm on Tuesdays and Fridays.
It is equipped with two tender boats for emergency response, 120 mandatory life jackets, standby engines and a cargo-weighing system designed to prevent overloading.
The Government is also procuring two additional boats to service communities along the route.
Livelihoods on the water
For people living and doing business around Lake Kariba, the route is an economic lifeline. Ms Sikhanyiso Nkomazana said the disruption of ferry services had affected fish traders who need boats to reach islands that cannot be accessed by road.
“Our business had gone down because some of the islands where we buy fish for resale cannot be reached by vehicles; we need boats. We are happy as a community with the launch of the new ferry,” she said.
Mr Simbarashe Chanhongwa said the ferry would also create employment opportunities for women and young people who depend on buying and selling fish.
Speaking on behalf of directors of Most High Ferries, Mr Maxton Kanhema said the company entered the water transport business after witnessing the difficulties faced by people involved in fishing and fish trading.
“Most High Ferries is already involved in the ice and fish business. Through our existing business activities, we have developed relationships with people whose livelihoods depend on fishing and the movement of fish between communities on both sides of Lake Kariba,” he said.
“We have seen first-hand some of the difficulties our clients face in transporting ice and fish across the lake. For people involved in fishing, ice is not a luxury. It is an essential part of their business. Fish has to be preserved properly from the time it is caught until it reaches the market.
“Any difficulty in moving ice to fishing communities or transporting fish back to the market can directly affect the livelihoods and income of the people involved.”
The company, he said, intended to provide an organised transport option for fishers, traders, residents, workers, businesses and tourists.
“Our ambition is, therefore, to provide a service that responds to the needs of the wider Kariba-Chalala community while maintaining the highest possible standards of safety and professionalism.”
Safety after tragedy
The recent ferry disaster, which shined a light on the importance of safety in water transport, remains fresh in the minds of communities around Lake Kariba.
“Our project was already underway before that unfortunate incident and has continued according to its planned programme,” said Mr Kanhema.
Most High Ferries has since pledged to maintain strict compliance with maritime and safety regulations, regular vessel inspections and maintenance, competent and adequately prepared crew, passenger safety briefings and emergency response procedures.
Lake Kariba captain Mr Adan Warren Nyekete said the double-deck ferry was built on triple pontoons and measured 21,8 metres in length and 5,9 metres in width, with a displacement of 18 tonnes. He said the vessel had undergone rigorous inspection and met all regulatory requirements.
“This ferry boat has a carrying capacity of 60 passengers and four crew members. The boat will be plying the Kariba-Chalala route. This is the same route that was serviced by the RIDA ferry, and it will pass by Kings Camp Fishing Camp and Msamba Fishing Camp,” said Mr Nyekete.
“The ferry boat has been rigorously inspected and meets all regulatory standards. I urge the management of this ferry boat and their crew to operate it within the confines of the law, religiously follow safety protocols at all times and avoid the temptation of overloading this ferry boat so that you make quick money at the detriment of your client’s safety. Adhere to the operating conditions spelt out in your permit.”
In a speech read on her behalf by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development’s head of legal services Advocate Kingston Magaya, Permanent Secretary Engineer Joy Makumbe said the launch demonstrated the role of private investment in restoring inland water transport.
She said the Government was exploring all options, including private sector partnerships, to restore services along the route previously operated by the Mbuya Nehanda ferry.
“We are looking at all options, including partnership with the private sector, as evidenced by our presence here today,” Eng Makumbe said.
She said private sector participation was a key pillar of the Government’s strategy to strengthen inland water transportation.
“A safe, reliable and efficient alternative means of water transport on this route is not a luxury — it is a necessity, for our communities, for trade and commerce and for connectivity.”
The vessel owners, Eng Makumbe said, had complied with statutory requirements under the Inland Waters Shipping Act (Chapter 13:06) and allied regulations, including vessel survey, registration, crew certification and shipping service permits.
“The ministry will continue to enforce marine safety standards without compromise. No vessel shall be allowed to operate outside the law,” she said.
Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya was in Dubai early this month on a scouting mission for a replacement vessel. In the long term, Zimbabwe intends to acquire ferries with a carrying capacity of more than 600 passengers.
Cabinet recently approved a comprehensive relief and recovery package covering humanitarian assistance, psychosocial support, infrastructure development, livelihood restoration and disaster preparedness.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said the measures included procuring a replacement ferry, improving roads and introducing affordable ferry services for communities dependent on water transport.
The Government will also strengthen early warning systems through the installation of weather stations and deployment of drones and communication equipment to improve monitoring and emergency response on the lake.
For Ms Rwodzi and other traders, the return of a ferry to the Kariba-Chalala route represents the reopening of a connection whose absence had been felt not only in lost journeys, but in lost business, reduced incomes and disrupted livelihoods.
