Chronicle Editor
Nqobile Bhebhe recently in Nkayi
Communities in Nkayi District, which bears the tag of being one of the least developed areas in the country, are yearning for the speedy implementation of multiple sustainable development projects.
The leaders from the business sector, Local Government, traditional leaders and villagers envision a region that has all basic amenities at their disposal.
Top of the wish list is the completion of the Bulawayo-Nkayi and Kwekwe-Nkayi roads, Ziminya Dam and the construction of more modern schools and clinics.
This was highlighted during the 2023 national budget consultation at Nkayi Business Centre recently.
The Second Republic has put at the top of its agenda infrastructure development.
Developing sound road infrastructure is one of the critical enablers towards achieving targets under the National Development Strategy (NDS1), the Government’s five-year economic master plan, which spans from 2021 through to 2025.
The commencement of the construction of Ziminya Dam, which has vast potential to transform the agricultural sector of the predominantly dry region has excited villagers.
Ziminya Dam was mooted 24 years ago but nothing had been done until new contracts were awarded last year with teams moving to the ground this year.
The dam is being built at a cost of US$133 million and the project entails the construction of the two million cubic metre dam, the construction of the Nkayi Water Treatment Plant and the establishment of an irrigation scheme.
Its completion will open a path for the growth and expansion of Nkayi as well as the opening up of 1 250 hectares of irrigated land in the area.
President Mnangagwa’s leadership has seen projects that had seemingly become pipe dreams being resuscitated and Ziminya Dam is one such project.
At the forefront of renewed optimism that has instilled confidence among the community is Chief Tshugulu.
Chief Tshugulu told Chronicle that the dam stands to transform the Nkayi landscape by bringing to life projects that are water dependent.
It also presents employment opportunities for the community, he said.
“We’re excited by the activity taking place at the Ziminya Dam site. This has brought relief to the community,” said Chief Tshugulu.
“Since the dam construction has begun, our wish as the Nkayi community is for the dam to be expeditiously completed.
“The contracted firm is doing well but we’re worried by reports that it’s importing labour and ignoring people from the community. This is a community project which must benefit the locals first in whatever way possible,” said Chief Tshugulu.
Local businessman, Mr Arthur Moyo said the community always thought that talk of the dam project resuming was a political gimmick.
That perception has since been erased, he said.
“We’re putting our cards on Ziminya Dam. We always thought it was a political gimmick but we’re pleased that the project has taken off. The contractor has not abandoned the site,” said Mr Moyo.
Zanu-PF Nkayi South Member of Parliament Cde Stars Mathe said when the dam is complete, it will generate much interest among people who are keen on farming.
“Irrigation and fishery projects will flourish here. We have long heard of great projects at Tokwe-Mukosi Dam that would be replicated here at Ziminya Dam.
“The Second Republic has revived and vigorously implemented various previously stalled projects in the Matabeleland region and Ziminya Dam is one such project that has been brought to life. What excites the community the most is the massive employment creation for locals,” said Cde Mathe.
Another topical project among Nkayi villagers is the road network linking the district.
The road network is regarded as among the worst in the country.
Cde Mathe acknowledged that it has taken long to complete the Bulawayo-Nkayi Road although several kilometres are worked on every year.
“The poor road network is the major reason why Nkayi remains underdeveloped. It embarrasses me to hear that Nkayi is the least developed district in the country but when the road is finally completed, several dormant business projects will takeoff and improve livelihoods,” she told Chronicle.
“It’s the wish of the Nkayi community that the rehabilitation works also begin here at Nkayi centre moving towards Bulawayo. The overall budgetary allocations should be evenly split so that rehabilitation works begin at both ends.
“By doing so, it will boost the confidence of Nkayi villagers. Some think there’s no road construction taking place. I have since put this thought to the transport minister, Felix Mhona.”
Nkayi Rural District Council chief executive officer Mr Silibele Mpofu said the local authority was struggling to attract investors to the district.
“As council, we’re facing challenges with luring investors to the district. This is because of our poor road network. If that’s attended to, we would be in a position to attract investors,” said Mr Mpofu.
Mr Moyo said the Nkayi business community’s plea is for Government to expedite the completion of the Nkayi-Kwekwe Road as only 40 kilometres remain.
“If you have a good contracted firm, that road would be complete within a month. In Nkayi, we’re dealing a lot in timber and clay. We regard our timber as gold and we have good deposits of clay in the Dakamela area.
“If we’re to introduce factories here, we envision the manufacturing sector taking off in a big way. At Makwatheni, there’s a belt of coal deposits which should be explored and at Gwitshi, you’ll find gold deposits too although we’re not a gold rich area. We have sections which have pockets of deposits.
“Nkayi is ready for a massive developmental takeoff. We’re shunned because of our road network and that’s a major factor in investments,” said Mr Moyo.
He expressed optimism that the district’s social and economic fortunes would turn around once the needed infrastructure was in place.
During the consultative meetings, several villagers appealed for the construction of more modern schools and vocational institutions that are fully equipped.
More schools would reduce the distances walked by pupils, said Mrs Angela Ncube.
“As a district, we don’t have vocational training institutions. Talented youths who don’t have relatives in Bulawayo where there are such facilities are losing out. Nkayi youths need to be equipped with life skills so that they avoid resorting to drugs and migrating to South Africa where they risk falling victim to sporadic xenophobic attacks,” she said.
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