Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
INDUSTRY and Commerce Minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu has called for the urgent identification of strategic economic activities from dam resources in Matabeleland South to create local jobs under the rural industrialisation drive. Speaking at the recent commissioning of Gungwe Dam in Gwanda District, he urged communities to harness water-linked economic benefits to transform livelihoods.
The rehabilitation of Gungwe Dam has brought relief to over 3 000 people from 12 villages who had endured more than a decade without a reliable water source after the dam was destroyed by cyclone-induced rains. The US$312 000 project was funded through a public-private partnership facilitated by the Gwanda Community Share Ownership Trust (CSOT).
Local firm JRG Construction was contracted to undertake the rehabilitation works, which began in August and were completed in November last year. A fishery project targeting youths from the area has already been established at the dam, and plans are underway to develop a large-scale irrigation scheme and a tourist attraction site.
“As Government, we believe that a dam is an economy. It is, therefore, important for communities around it to be strategic in identifying a full range of potential economic activities that can create local employment while contributing to our local economy.
“The dam is expected to provide water for human consumption to more than 3 000 households and will serve multiple purposes, including providing reliable water for agriculture, enabling irrigation and food security, and supporting livestock and fisheries development.
“It will enhance climate resilience in a region often affected by erratic rainfall and open up opportunities for small-scale enterprises that depend on water as a productive input,” said Minister Ndlovu, who is also Zanu-PF Matabeleland South provincial chairman.
Minister Ndlovu said the community should develop the dam into a tourism resort, capitalising on the appeal of nature and water-based activities. He noted that such projects can ensure significant progress towards rural industrialisation and inclusive economic growth — key pillars of the upcoming Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy (ZNIDP 2) and the National Development Strategy 2, designed to help Zimbabwe achieve Vision 2030.
“To the people of Gwanda, this dam is your proud asset — guard it jealously, maintain it well, and use it productively to uplift your families and future generations. Let us make this dam a source of life, growth and unity, and never a source of conflict or neglect. May Gungwe Dam bring prosperity and abundance to Gwanda District for generations to come,” he said.
Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe, said economic projects supported by the dam will help create employment for youths and combat the scourge of drug and substance abuse.
Government, working with development partners, has embarked on a drive to enhance the dam economy system in rural areas by ensuring that each dam supports irrigation and incorporates other pillars such as fisheries, water reticulation and power generation as part of the rural industrialisation agenda.
Speaking recently during a tour of Wanezi Dam, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary, Professor Obert Jiri, said the country has over 10 600 water bodies, most of which remain underutilised.He said these water bodies have the potential to irrigate two million hectares of land, ensuring national food security. Currently, only 223 000 hectares are under irrigation. Professor Jiri added that Zimbabwe produces 30 000 metric tonnes of fish annually against a national requirement of 60 000 metric tonnes, and urged farmers to adopt sustainable fish farming practices.
The Gungwe Dam rehabilitation involved re-establishing and widening the spillway channel with a levelled masonry weir, constructing a new dam embankment and rock toe, and raising the embankment by 1.4 metres.
Gungwe Dam is expected to enhance food security and promote economic growth through agricultural activities and income-generating projects. The dam has a capacity of 800 000 cubic metres (800 megalitres) of water.
— @DubeMatutu
