adminLike many areas in Matabeleland South, Mr Sibanda said food shortages had been as a result of poor harvests from the previous farming season.
He said the inadequate rains, which have resulted in crops wilting, had aggravated the situation.
Mr Sibanda said drinking water was also a problem in the area and constituents had to walk about 5km to fetch it, three times daily from a neighbouring village.
“We have to fetch water from Silikwane River, which is about 5km away. The trip has to be done at least thrice a day, depending on the domestic need for that day,” he said.
Mr Sibanda said the electorate in the area complained about the situation and two boreholes were drilled but the boreholes have since broken down.
“Two boreholes were drilled but both of them no longer work. Some surveyors have visited the area but nothing has been done to date.
“Kwathenjiswa kwaphelela khonapho. Amanzi aluhlupho olumangalisayo (It has remained a promise that has not been fulfilled. Water is a serious problem),” he said.
Mr Sibanda said he did not know the MP for the area, Mr Thandeko Mnkandla and had last heard of him in 2008 when he was campaigning for a seat in the House of Assembly that he got under the MDC ticket.
“We usually tell the village leaders and councillors our problems but even then, nothing is done. The MP should address the water problem as a matter of urgency because it is impossible to live without water,” he said.
Mr Sibanda said there were no medical facilities in the area and voters had to travel to neighbouring Gwanda or Filabusi for medical attention.
“Yikuthatha inqola kumbe ukudinga itransport ukuze ufike eGwanda kumbe eFilabusi nxa ungagulelwa (When someone falls sick, you have to use an ox-drawn cart or find a vehicle in order to reach the medical facilities in Gwanda or Filabusi),” he said.
Mr Sibanda’s wife, Medros (51) said there was a need for the local authority to facilitate the building of a dam in the area.
“The construction of a dam in the area would reduce the burden women have because we have to walk 5km to fetch water, thrice daily among other duties,” she said.
Mrs Sibanda said there was also the need to build a clinic that would service Matshiya, Matshetshe and Nkashe Villages because even when someone travelled to Filabusi or Gwanda for medical attention, treatment was not guaranteed.
“I do not know the MP because he has never visited the area. I doubt if he knows our plight. Even if he does not do anything, we just want him to come and hear our problems,” she said as she added some logs to her fire.
Mrs Sibanda suggested that income-generating projects should be established in the area so that school leavers also have something to do.
“After they finish Form Four, our children just sit around but it would be better if they had some projects that would keep them busy as well as give them some money,” she said.
Turning to food shortages in the area, Mrs Sibanda said: “Amandla silawo kodwa esingelakho ngamanzi. Ngabe kuthiwa amanzi akhona ngabe siyazilimela singadubeki (We still have the energy to work but what we do not have is water. If we had readily available water we could be doing our gardening without any problems).”
Like the majority of rural constituencies, there are no roads to talk about in Gwanda North constituency.
Although the balancing rocks in the area are something to write home about, the dilapidated infrastructure, some of which has been abandoned, brings a gloomy atmosphere.
Rivers such as Nkashe have since run dry and some constituents have resorted to digging up wells in order to get water.
Mr Samuel Nkomo (25) who was in the process of digging in order to reach the water table said due to the water woes in the area, villagers had been left with no choice but to establish their own water sources.
“As you can see, l am close to reaching the water so this will be a very useful source for a couple of days. We have to do this or walk long distances several times a day just to fetch water,” said the Nkashe based young man.
Mr Nkomo said their desperation for water had to be brought to an end, as it had become a war they were losing each passing day.
Rural schools have been adversely affected by the ongoing strike by civil servants who are agitating for an increase in their salaries.
They are demanding a salary increase of up to $538 from the $253 given to the least paid worker.
Pupils from Nkashe Secondary School littered one of the local shopping centres as early as 11am while others could be seen playing a game of draughts.
Nkosiphile Ncube (16) said there had not been any learning at Nkashe Secondary School since the strike began and since they had nothing else to do, they opted to play at the shopping centre.
“We are not doing anything at school because our teachers are on strike so we just decided to come here and while up time,” he said making his move on the draughts board.
Secondary school pupils in Gwanda North have to walk long distances to get to school while those in primary school are a bit fortunate, as they do not have to suffer the same plight.
In an area called Matshetshe, 42km from Gwanda, is Matshetsheni Primary School, which tells a sad story.
The infrastructure is dilapidated; the children at the school by a hair’s breadth have decent clothing on their backs or shoes on their feet, yet they have to walk long distances from neighbouring villages to the school.
Even when they get to school, not much learning is done.
When contacted for comment, the MP for Gwanda North constituency, Mr Thandeko Mnkandla confirmed that there was a water crisis in his constituency.
“My constituents are telling the truth, water is a problem in Gwanda North constituency. The boreholes that were drilled in some areas have since broken down.
“We are trying to work with the rural district council and the Red Cross so that we can drill some boreholes as well as rehabilitate the existing ones,” he said.
Mr Mnkandla said aside from the water problems in his constituency, Nkashe, Matshiya and Matshetshe areas needed medical facilities.
“Wilikisa villagers have, however, teamed up to construct their own clinic. People must come together and be progressive,” he said.
Mr Mnkandla said food shortages were a perennial problem in Matabeleland South although there was always grain at the Grain Marketing Board (GMB).
“There is grain at the GMB but the problem is that people do not have the money to buy it. There should be some food relief but it may not be much. It is difficult to do farming in Gwanda North unlike in Insiza South where there is the irrigation scheme (Silalabuhwa),” he said.
Mr Mnkandla said his constituents needed to come up with project ideas because they were the people who would own these projects.
“The education sector in the rural areas is threatened but the majority of teachers are trying their best under the circumstances. If the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture intensifies their supervision in rural schools, the situation is likely to improve,” he said.
Turning to the notion that his constituents do not know him, Mr Mnkandla said the aspect of whether or not he visits them is always questionable.
“I visit almost all wards but if they do not come for meetings then they will not know me because l cannot go door to door visiting all of them. Some of these constituents do not take part in developmental projects,” he said.
Among some of the projects Mr Mnkandla has embarked on in Gwanda North are the refurbishment of Masholomoshe Primary School, Mzimuni Clinic and Lumene Primary School.
Wilikisa Primary School had a classroom block completed while some furniture was bought for Nyandeni Secondary School.
Sibhula Secondary School is still under construction while in Ward 7 Simbumbumbu Clinic received an engine to assist in drawing water.
Mr Mnkandla said although the projects in Ward 9 and 10 were still outstanding, the refurbishment of the clinic in Ward 11 had been completed.
Online Reporter