Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba
Midlands Bureau Chief
STRATEGIC investments in agriculture, energy and education are driving transformation in the Midlands Province, as Government intensifies implementation of Vision 2030.
This was evident yesterday during a tour of three major projects in Chiwundura, Gweru and Kwekwe by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Zhemu Soda, in the company of Permanent Secretary Mr Nick Mangwana and Midlands Provincial Affairs Secretary Dr Edgars Seenza.
The delegation visited the Mbembeswana Irrigation Scheme in Chiwundura, which will support more than 350 families, Jinan Group (Pvt) Ltd where a 20-megawatt solar plant is nearing completion, and the newly opened Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Law School in Kwekwe.
Together, the projects underscore the province’s growing leadership in agriculture, power and education. At Mbembeswana, officials were briefed that infrastructure works are at an advanced stage, with water expected to reach the fields next month. The scheme is set to enhance food security and create employment in line with the national industrialisation agenda.
At Jinan, management outlined plans to commission a 20-megawatt solar facility within the next few months, alongside a proposed 50-megawatt coal-based plant.
The company said the investment was in response to the move to commercial electricity tariffs by 2027. The tour concluded at the Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Law School, described as a state-of-the-art facility. Management indicated that while the initial focus is on law, two additional faculties will be established. Student hostels funded through the pension fund are also under construction and are expected to be ready within four months.
Speaking after the tour, Minister Soda said the projects demonstrate tangible progress under the Second Republic’s development agenda.
He said the National Development Strategy 2 is anchored on 10 strategic pillars aimed at transforming the lives of ordinary citizens and accelerating Zimbabwe’s journey towards becoming an empowered and prosperous upper-middle-income society by 2030. Minister Soda hailed the Midlands projects as proof of Vision 2030 progress.
“Strategic investments in agriculture, energy and education are driving transformation in the Midlands Province, as Government intensifies implementation of Vision 2030,” he said.
Minister Soda said the projects demonstrate tangible progress under the Second Republic’s development agenda.
“We’re in the Midlands Province to see projects delivered in the province by the Second Republic under the leadership of President Mnangagwa,” he said.
The tour began at the Mbembeswana Irrigation Scheme in Chiwundura, a project intended to benefit 360 families.
“We were shown the tremendous work being done on rural industrialisation. We were taken to the pumping sites where the pumps are being connected to a power source. A channel from the dam has also been completed. A few installations remain,” he said.
Next month, Minister Soda said water will reach the fields.
“The project benefits the community in terms of food security and enhancing the agricultural sector. The dam has a lot of water. Jobs will be created in line with the industrialisation agenda,” he said.
At Jinan Group Pvt Ltd in Kwekwe, the delegation toured a plant where ferrochrome — chrome and coke — is produced.
“We were shown the smelting process taking place, and they indicated that they will be moving to their own power supply: a 20-megawatt solar plant,” Minister Soda said.
“The Government is currently providing power to ferrochrome producers at a subsidised rate.”
The Minister said the company is developing its own power rather than depending on the national grid.
“By 2027, they will move to the commercial tariff, which is why they have moved to develop their own plant. They said their plant will be ready in a few months. The 20-megawatt plant will be available for use,” he said.
Minister Soda said Jinan is also working on a coal-based 50-megawatt plant.
“All of this is in line with the call by President ED that by 2030 we should have enablers such as energy in place,” he said.
Minister Soda said the Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Law School represents the vision by President Mnangagwa to bring education to the people in line with leaving no one and no place behind.
“We were shown the great work that has been done here and that continues to be done. We were taken through the facilities by management. They are focused on the law school, but two other faculties will be established. It is very impressive,” he said.
The Minister said students’ hostels were under construction through the pension fund and will be available to students in the next four months.
“In summary, we went through three projects that contribute towards Vision 2030 and, in terms of education, Education 5.0,” said Minister Soda.
