Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
A US$2 million grant from South Korea is set to transform the poverty stricken Inyati Mine area in Headlands, funding a wave of development projects in agriculture, water provision, education, and infrastructure under the Saemaul Undong (New Village Development) initiative.
The programme — credited with propelling South Korea to global economic success — will run until 2031, and is expected to uplift the lives of local communities.
Speaking at the project launch, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, hailed President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s engagement and re engagement policy, which she said was instrumental in securing the funding.
Minister Mutsvangwa emphasised that Zimbabwe is eager to adopt the Saemaul Undong model to drive grassroots level economic growth.
Recently, selected villagers and Government officials visited South Korea to gain first hand experience of how the initiative works and how best to implement it locally.
“This programme stands as a key complement to Government efforts in the pursuit of sustainable rural development. As 70 percent of our nation’s population resides in rural areas, deliberate efforts and resources need to be channelled towards the improvement of the socio-economic status of our rural areas and populations to ensure holistic development. We acknowledge the work the Embassy of South Korea is doing to prepare Government officials and local leaders for the implementation of the programme, through the planned upcoming 2026 Saemaul Undong Invitational Training Programme. By capacitating key implementers and leaders, the programme can be effectively run and meet the socio-economic development needs of the community,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
The Saemaul Undong Village Development is a rural modernisation initiative concept from South Korea that played a major role in uplifting rural people’s living standards since its inception in the 1970s, by modernising the rural economy, reducing poverty, and promoting self-help.
The approach harnesses rural manpower to fully participate in development processes, based on the key concepts of diligence, self-help and cooperation, and has been key in ensuring beneficiary ownership of development initiatives with support from Government – with local leadership structures better empowered to drive people-focused socio-economic development plans and efforts.
This has contributed to the transformation of South Korea from a former aid recipient to a major donor country and high-income economy.
“The Government believes in embracing Saemaul Undong’s development concepts and utilising them as a sustainable complement to our implementation of Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy (NDS2), ensuring that no place or person is left behind,” she said, adding that the programme is in line with the national aspirations of rural development anchored industrialisation and economic participation by every citizen, and challenged the beneficiaries to take it seriously.
South Korea Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Park Jae-Kyung, said the project will change the face of the community if the beneficiaries adhere to its concepts which were implemented in his country with resounding success.
“The Saemaul Undong or the New Village Movement transformed the Republic of Korea. But let me be honest, Korea was not a wealthy country. Not long ago, our grandparents lived in small mud-walled houses. They struggled with poverty. They walked long distances for water, but they had a dream. They did not wait for others to change their lives. They took responsibility. Through the spirit of diligence, self-help and cooperation, they changed their small villages and eventually their country. Over time, these values transformed, not only infrastructure, but also people’s mindset and confidence.
“This experience showed us an important lesson, development is, not about personal resources, but about people taking ownership of their future. And today I see that same strength and potential right here in Makoni.
“With a total budget of over US$2 million, this project will be implemented until 2031 across five villages in Makoni District. This is not a short race, but it is a long journey. While we provide the budget and materials, the most important resource is you (beneficiaries). We are not here simply to give, but we are here to work together, so that you become the masters of your own development.
The project is built on three key pillars, firstly, capacity building through education, training and leadership development, secondly, improving basic infrastructure, including water, roads and community facilities, and thirdly, supporting agriculture and income-generating activities to improve livelihoods. We firmly believe that when governments and communities work together, development becomes more effective, more inclusive and more sustainable. It is about building trust, strengthening cooperation and creating a shared model of community development,” he said.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, said the programme is in tandem with value addition and community empowerment drives being advocated by the Government, and called upon the villagers to fully embrace the concept.
“Through NDS2, Government continues to prioritise rural industrialisation, value addition and community empowerment as key drivers towards the attainment of Vision 2030.
“The Saemaul Undong Project directly contributes to these national priorities by strengthening grassroots development, enhancing livelihoods and promoting sustainable economic participation at community level. As we embark on this important journey, let us be guided by the values that underpin this programme, namely, hard work, collaboration and shared responsibility. These principles will be critical in ensuring that the project delivers tangible and lasting improvements in the livelihoods of our people,” said Minister Mugadza.
