Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
AFTER decades of darkness, the steady hum of electricity has finally reached Nzvimbe Village, transforming daily life and igniting fresh hope in a community long left behind.
The turning point came with the Government’s commissioning of the Nzvimbe Solar Mini-Grid — a milestone that has ushered in light, opportunity, and progress. For the first time, children are revising their schoolwork beneath electric bulbs instead of smoky paraffin lamps, nurses at the local clinic are operating modern equipment with confidence, families are charging mobile phones at home, and small-scale manufacturing is beginning to take root.
The landmark project now powers two schools, a clinic, a telecommunications base station, a bustling business centre, churches, and 64 homesteads.
Villagers describe the development as nothing short of life-changing, propelling their remote settlement into an era of possibility.
Where once evenings were swallowed by darkness, Nzvimbe now glows with promise — a beacon of how renewable energy can reshape communities and inspire futures.
Before the switch-on, learners at Nzvimbe Primary and Secondary schools bent over their books by the dim flicker of paraffin lamps and candles.
At the newly opened clinic, staff struggled to refrigerate medicines or power essential devices.
Villagers trekked long distances simply to charge their phones or access services that communities with electricity take for granted.
That picture has shifted dramatically.
At Nzvimbe Secondary School, teachers and learners now speak of a transformed learning environment.
Headmaster, Mr Peter Seremwe, explained that electricity will allow the school to introduce subjects such as Computer Science, Food and Nutrition, Fashion and Fabrics, and Metal Work. He also believes reliable power will stem the exodus of teachers, who often left due to harsh conditions.
Healthcare delivery, communications, and local enterprise are all poised to benefit. With power secured, the clinic can safely store vaccines and operate diagnostic equipment, while the new business centre offers a foothold for entrepreneurs eager to grow.
For Nzvimbe, electricity is more than light — it is a doorway to education, health, and economic growth. A once-remote settlement is now stepping boldly into a future that had long remained out of reach.
“This is a huge development for the school, whose progress had long been held back by the absence of electricity. We were unable to offer important subjects that require power, but now we are preparing to introduce them. Fashion and Fabrics, Computer Science, Food and Nutrition, Metal Work, Wood Work, and other Science subjects are all in high demand, and our learners will finally have access to them.
“Our learners will now enjoy the same opportunities as their peers in urban and boarding schools. In the past, the lack of electricity made it difficult to retain teachers, who often transferred to better-equipped institutions. With staff homes now electrified, morale is high, and we hope the constant transfers will stop. We are a good school, but power shortages made us unattractive to teachers. That era is over,” said Headmaster Mr Peter Seremwe.
Entrepreneurs at the local business centre echoed the excitement, describing the commissioning of the mini-grid as a historic milestone for the community.
A welder, Mr John Makoni, shared how electricity has revolutionised his trade: “We never imagined that one day we would have electricity in Nzvimbe. Government has remembered us. I make door and window frames and carry out other welding work. Before, I relied on generators, but fuel is expensive and breakdowns were frequent, threatening business viability. Now we have switched to electricity, and it has vastly improved how we operate. People no longer need to travel to Nyazura or Rusape for welding or metal fabrication — the services are reliably available here.
“We hope to expand our operations and embrace new projects that will help young people venture into income-generating activities and create employment.”
Another businessman, Mr Joshua Mukono, who runs a grocery shop, said electrification of the business centre has transformed their product line.
“We can now stock goods that require refrigeration. In the past, we relied on gas-powered fridges, which were unreliable and limited us from selling perishable products. We lost business as people travelled to Rusape for items we could not keep. We are grateful to the Government and REA for connecting us to electricity,” he said.
The electrification of the telecommunications base station is also expected to strengthen network connectivity, improving communication and access to digital services across the area. Member of Parliament for Makoni South, Honourable Albert Nyakuedzwa, commended the Second Republic for prioritising rural electrification and renewable energy projects, noting that such initiatives will create better living conditions in villages.
He highlighted that Nzvimbe, established during the 1980s resettlement programme, has long lagged behind in development.
“People here were resettled soon after independence, and their main source of income is agriculture — maize, tobacco, small grains, traditional grains, and livestock. Yet tangible development has remained elusive. This solar energy project will enable real progress in the community. We appeal to the Government to electrify the remaining 27 schools in the constituency so they can match others,” he said.
Honourable Nyakuedzwa also pointed to the Chiduku Irrigation Scheme, formerly Romsley, where another solar plant now powers 384 hectares, benefitting hundreds of farmers.
“The community is happy to witness President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s mantra of leaving no place and no person behind,” he added..
