Online Reporter
Sunday Mail Reporter
THE motoring public has expressed relief after the official opening of the Trabablas Interchange by President Mnangagwa on Friday, while enterprising early movers are already seeing business opportunities.
The interchange is expected to eliminate congestion on what used to be one of the capital city’s most notorious traffic chokepoints.
“Trabablas Interchange designed and built by Zimbabweans. Those in the know are already setting up shop to take advantage of improved traffic flow,” wrote prominent filmmaker Ben Mahaka on his X handle.
“Major retailers, truck parts suppliers and service industries are opening shop along the R1.”
The interchange, constructed at the busy junction linking Simon Mazorodze, Chitungwiza and High Glen roads, is a key component of the Government’s efforts to modernise the capital’s road network and improve urban mobility.
Its completion is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Harare and the dormitory town of Chitungwiza, as well as improve traffic flow to southern suburbs such as Glen Norah, Glen View,
Highfield and Waterfalls.
Motorists, public transport operators and pedestrians wasted no time putting the new road infrastructure to use.
By yesterday, the once-congested intersection had transformed into a smooth-flowing traffic corridor.
Many Zimbabweans took to social media to celebrate the historic feat, praising the Government for its commitment to modernising the country’s road network.
Some described the Trabablas Interchange as a symbol of progress and a step in the right direction for national development.
“Growing up in Chitungwiza and having been a frequent user of this road, personally, I do appreciate the efforts that the President @edmnangagwa and his Government are doing,” said Ian Mudiwa Mtandwa on X, who is popularly known as Mudiwa Hood.
“Using Masvingo road was so frustrating, especially on the traffic from Zindoga to the tollgate … this is a strategic road for business, it needs free flow of traffic, not jams!
“Well done to Ministry of Transport and everyone involved for such a wonderful job!”
Amid the praise, some commentators took the opportunity to reflect on the broader national discourse around Government projects.
Award-winning photographer and digital communications expert Mr Henry Hakula shared a viral post that sparked widespread discussion.
“Trabablas was trending and the same voices that lead criticism had a good run on the keyboard from misinformation, disinformation and anything else,” he wrote.
“What we call ‘activism’ is often just content creation for clout . . . We’ve created a culture where every Government action must be ridiculed . . . But here’s the uncomfortable truth: many of the same critics who trashed these projects now use them. Every day.
“No one tweets about how the new highway saved them time. Or how the new dam secured water for their hometown . . .
“President @edmnangagwa won’t take the roads, dams, or border posts with him when he leaves office. Like it or not, those developments now belong to Zimbabwe. The next generation inherits them. And that should matter more than the daily scoreboard of who said what on X or Facebook.”
Waterfalls resident Mr Blessed Chibara told Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN) that the interchange was impressive.
“This interchange is world class; we could only dream of having such infrastructure in our country through what we saw on television from other countries,” he said.
“But it has now become a reality here in Zimbabwe.”
A Highfield resident, who only identified herself as Mai Machipisa, also told ZTN that she has been impressed by the interchange.
“I witnessed the development of the interchange from the very beginning and I never imagined that it would end up looking this good,” she said.
“This clearly shows that the President has done a very good job and we thank him for that.”
Online Reporter