Somgolo Bridge commissioning ends years of river tragedies

Sikhumbuzo Moyo in Lupanda, Lupane

FOLLOWING years of tragic loss of young lives to the turbulent Mbembesi River each rainy season, the residents of Lupanda Village in Lupane have finally breathed a sigh of relief following the commissioning of the newly constructed 230-metre long Somgolo bridge yesterday.

Since 2003, five children including three siblings, were swept away as they attempted to cross the river.

The children cross the river to and from Somgolo Primary School, a stone’s throw from Mbembezi River.

When the river was in flood, villagers also faced hardships in transporting the sick to St Luke’s hospital, located just 15km away.

It was joy and ululation as Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Richard Moyo concluded his keynote address by declaring Somgolo Bridge officially opened.

Somgolo village head Ndumiso Moyo could not believe that indeed their prayers had finally been answered.

“It’s like I am dreaming but its real. I am so happy that Government lived true to its promise of finishing this bridge. Many lives have been lost including that of young school children,” said Moyo.

Somgolo Bridge is a reinforced concrete structure spanning the Mbembesi River, constructed at a cost of US$950  000 and featuring six decks. As part of the comprehensive project, which also included the rehabilitation of the 15-kilometre stretch of road leading from the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway to Somgolo Bridge, an additional US$650  000 was invested.

Both the bridge and the connecting road were constructed by the Rural Infrastructural Development Agency (RIDA).

This vital infrastructure link now connects Lupane and Tsholotsho districts, significantly improving transport logistics for small-scale farmers in Lupane and also facilitating the operations of local hunting safari businesses.

“This bridge represents a significant milestone in our province’s development and indeed that of our nation at large, aligning with our national Vision 2030 as envisioned by President Mnangagwa which is that of attaining a prosperous upper-middle-income society by 2030,” said Minister Moyo.

He said that the completion of the bridge will bring about improved access to essential health services and schools. In the past school pupils risked being swept away by crossing the flooded Membezi River.

Minister Moyo said the locals can now easily access various Government services at Lupane town as well as health services at St Luke’s as transport will now be available.

“This development will improve transport network which in turn will reduce travel times and increase economic opportunities, boost district, provincial and indeed national development in the process stimulating growth and job creation as well as improve quality of life for citizens,” said Minister Moyo.

He said that the Somgolo Bridge is proof of Zimbabweans’ capability to effectively plan, design, and execute large-scale infrastructure projects, a feat that strongly echoes President Mnangagwa’s guiding principle that “a nation is built by its own people” (ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo).

“As we commission Somgolo Bridge, we reaffirm our commitment to Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy 1(NDS1). We recognise the importance of investing in our infrastructure to drive economic growth, improve living standards and build a prosperous future for all,” said Minister Moyo.

He hailed Rida and the Somgolo community for working in harmony during the construction of the bridge.

“To the villagers, we appreciate your patience which sometimes came at a cost of lives as a result of using the old low lying bridge. We also thank you for providing labour that was essential in the implementation of this project,” said Minister Moyo.

Also attending the commissioning ceremony was the Lupane East legislator Ms Phathisiwe Ncube-Machangu, Matabeleland North legislator under proportional representative Mail Nkomo, Regent Chief Zanele Mabhikwa, members of the joint operations command and senior Rida officials led by the provincial director Lawrence Ndebele.