Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
A 120-KILOWATT solar grid project, recently completed by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), is illuminating homes and hearts, connecting over 40 homesteads, public institutions and community boreholes to electricity for the first time since independence.
For the Tshitulipasi area of Beitbridge, a transformative change is underway and villagers say the introduction of electricity is not just a utility; it’s a long-awaited dream finally realised after three decades of yearning.
The project embodies the Government’s commitment to rural electrification, marking a significant milestone in efforts to improve the quality of life in marginalised communities.
Local businessman and solar project chairman, Mr Robert Hlongwane, captures the sentiment of many: “This is a good development for us.
“We expect improved service delivery in education, and small to medium enterprises will thrive.”
His eyes reflect hope and ambition for the future.
The solar grid is expected to boost economic growth by enabling residents to establish small home industries and engage in horticulture.
“We now have meaningful business ventures,” Mr Hlongwane added.
“Some like myself have opened a butchery, while others can now keep perishables in fridges.”
Beyond economic benefits, the project fosters sustainable practices by reducing reliance on firewood and encouraging the use of solar energy for irrigation and water abstraction.
Village head Mr Samson Musuthu Moyo emphasised the project’s importance in empowering women and girls.
“Now that the school is electrified, girls can learn computer-related subjects and acquire essential skills,” he said.
He believes this connection will gradually contribute to rural transformation, highlighting the collective opportunities for income-generating projects that require electricity.
The community has united in a pledge to protect the new solar mini grid from vandalism and theft. Villager Mrs Witness Mapula expressed her relief.
“We no longer have to queue at communal boreholes for water. Now we have access to clean water powered by solar energy,” she said.
A senior citizen Mr Rambani Ncube shared the impact of the solar project on local healthcare.
“The clinic now has solar-powered electricity, allowing medical staff to attend to emergencies even at night,” he said.
This enhancement has dramatically improved healthcare delivery in the area.
For a new mother, Mrs Tendai Gwenzi, the electrification of the clinic has been life-changing. “Medical staff can now store vaccines and medication in refrigerators,” she explained, underscoring the critical improvements in maternal health services.
Mrs Nonguquko Manyabi, another villager, highlighted the broader benefits of the project.
“Most people were employed during the project, and our way of life has generally improved. Households now have televisions and fridges, and many are engaged in lucrative horticulture and poultry projects,” she said.
Tshitulipasi Primary School head, Mr Respect Muleya, said electricity had enabled the establishment of a computer laboratory, fostering e-learning.
“The morale among students and teachers is high, and staff retention has improved,” he noted, reflecting on the positive shift in the educational environment.
As Zimbabwe strives to achieve its development goals, initiatives like the Tshitulipasi Solar Plant are crucial for empowering communities and promoting sustainable development.
REA spokesperson Mr Johannes Nyamayedenga said they are committed to electrifying all previously marginalised communities by 2030, aligning with the President’s Vision 2030.
Since its inception in 2005, REA has completed 182 public projects in Beitbridge.
As the nation aims for an upper-middle-income economy by 2030, projects like this are instrumental in bridging the rural-urban development divide.
