Online Reporter
Media Mpofu, Sunday News Reporter
MORE than 900 civil servants are set to benefit from a housing initiative following the acquisition of 106 hectares of land by the Zimbabwe Economic Development Initiative (ZEDI), an economic empowerment vehicle for Teachers for Economic Development (Teachers4ED).
The housing cooperative was registered in February last year with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Small and Medium Enterprises.
The historic agreement of sale facilitated by ZEDI marks a milestone in the co-operative’s mission to provide affordable houses for its members.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday in Bulawayo in the presence of guests including the Director of Economic Affairs and Investments, Mr Simon Sawunyama representing the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Judith Ncube.
Mr Sawunyama assured the beneficiaries that Minister Ncube is in total support of the agreement.
“For your own information I have copies of all documents for the registration of this organisation and the Permanent Secretary said well we bless it,” he said.
ZEDI housing co-operative is working tirelessly to empower its members, comprising 80 percent civil servants and 20 percent private sector through innovative economic initiatives.
Dr Besearch Matseketsa the ZEDI initiator said they need to empower themselves by coming together and putting effort into buying land at a cheaper price since the Government is focusing on the youths.
“From the ideological orientation that we were given at the Chitepo School of Ideology, we later realised that indeed nyika inovakwa nevene vayo, it is us who can build a future for our children,” said Mr Matseketsa.
This latest development is expected to bring relief to many civil servants who are struggling to access affordable housing and it is a testament to ZEDI’s commitment to improving the lives of its members.
In an interview with Sunday News, the chairperson of ZEDI, Mr Zed Chigumira, said that they were able to negotiate and acquire the land at US$1,65 million.
“As we go from here I am sure we are going to walk shoulders high that through the agreement that has been made today, here sooner than later we are going to be landlords,” said Mr Chigumira.
He said that was not a small achievement as they are going to own stands measuring 400 square metres in Nodwane which will be under Bulawayo City Council.
One of the beneficiaries, Ms Nomsa Mangena said she was happy to be one of the people who are getting stands at an affordable price.
“I am extremely happy that I will have a house, we are working together as a team to reach our goal,” she said.
