Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Matabeleland South Bureau Chief
PENSIONERS in Magedleni, Gwanda District, have received a boost to their livelihoods through a goat-rearing project from the National Social Security Authority (Nssa).The initiative has provided villagers with 60 Matabele and Boer goats, 23 kids, six goat pens, a dip tank and a solar-powered borehole.
The project, aimed at improving the financial stability of pensioners, has so far benefited 38 people and will expand as the herd grows.
It was officially handed over to the community on Thursday and will be replicated in other districts after being piloted in Gwanda and Bindura.
Magedleni Goat Project chairperson Mr Bani Dube said the community was ready to reap earnings from the project.
“When Nssa came in, they told us the goal was to create a source of income. Now that it’s officially ours, we look forward to selling goats and sharing the proceeds to support our pensions,” he said.
“This money will help support our pension fund. Nssa assisted us by buying the goats and building the necessary structures and facilities. They have also been providing feed and now we will be running the project ourselves.”
Speaking during the recent handover ceremony, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Edgar Moyo described the project as a milestone in rural socio-economic development, complementing the Presidential Goat Scheme.
“The official handover of the Gwanda goat project to the pensioners marks not only the transfer of assets, but also the empowerment of a community, imbuing them with the agency to forge their path towards prosperity,” he said.
Minister Moyo said the initiative embodies the indomitable spirit of resilience and hope that defines local communities, aligning with Vision 2030.
“I extend my profound gratitude to all stakeholders who have contributed to the realisation of this project. This initiative aligns seamlessly with our national vision, Vision 2030, which seeks to establish a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society, where no individual or community is left behind,” he said.
Minister Moyo urged the project committee and other stakeholders to work together to ensure the project flourishes.
Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Albert Nguluvhe commended Nssa for improving pensioners’ welfare and urged the community to safeguard the project.
He said having the programme piloted in Gwanda is in line with President Mnangagwa’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.
Minister Nguluvhe urged the community to embrace the programme and guard it jealously against vandalism.
“This donation aligns perfectly with our province’s vision of harnessing local resources, particularly agriculture, to drive socioeconomic growth and development.
This project is more than just a gesture; it represents a commitment to empowering our community and fostering development,” he said.
“To our local community members, this project is a gift to you, a catalyst for growth, and a beacon of hope. I urge you to embrace it with passion, to nurture it with dedication, and to let it flourish under your care. Together, let us harness the potential of this project to build a brighter future.”
Nssa board chairperson Mr Christopher Dube, in a speech read on his behalf by board member, Mr David Dzatsunga, said the project was a response to economic hardships worsened by Covid-19 and ongoing efforts to give back to the communities that have entrusted them with their social security needs.
“As an organisation mandated to ensure the financial security of workers, we recognised the need to explore innovative ways to supplement the statutory pensions we provide. The idea was to empower our pensioners with additional means of sustenance, thereby enhancing their quality of life,” he said.
Mr Dube said the goat project has shown promising results, highlighting its potential to improve food security, stabilise food availability, and create a sustainable income source for the pensioners.
He said they will continue working with the project committee, comprised of pensioners, to ensure the sustainability of the project. He said beneficiaries will also be supported with training.
“The project comes with various benefits such as a sustainable source of nutrition through goat meat and milk, creating employment opportunities and generating income through the sale of goats and goat products,” said Mr Dube.
