Online Reporter
Moffat Mungazi
Post Reporter
FORMER liberation war heroes in Manicaland have received a major shot in the arm as the life-changing projects under the Presidential War Veterans Empowerment Programmes being rolled out countrywide are in full swing.
Launched by President Mnangagwa early this month, the Presidential War Veterans Empowerment Programme is a national initiative aimed at empowering the ex-combatants through various high-impact projects involving farm mechanisation, provision of housing units, borehole installations and income-generating ventures, via a US$2 million revolving fund.
The former freedom fighters’ dependants, war collaborators, non-combatant cadres and ex-political prisoners and detainees are also expected to benefit from another US$2 million kitty that will be shared equally among these four categories.
As distribution of resources under the programme across the provinces and districts continues, the beneficiaries are already reaping the benefits after model housing units were built and boreholes sunk in Buhera District.
Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, Manicaland provincial chairman, Cde Timon Musendo confirmed that the model houses and boreholes were now complete.
He said the projects will benefit both the female and male ex-combatants.
Cde Musendo expressed gratitude for the development, saying the stage is set for their provincial launch.
“The rolling out of the Presidential War Veterans Housing Scheme and the Presidential War Veteran’s Borehole Sinking Programme is now in full swing in Manicaland as two five-roomed houses and boreholes have been completed at Murambinda in Buhera. Both the housing units and boreholes are solar-powered. As an association, we worked in conjunction with Buhera Rural District Council as they provided 50 residential stands for this particular programme.
“We are grateful to President Mnangagwa for ensuring that resources are availed for efficient and fruitful implementation of the projects, and also appreciate the positive impact the initiatives will bring. The gesture recognises the important role we played as freedom fighters during the liberation war. After these models are officially launched, similar projects will be rolled out across all districts in Manicaland. We will continue working with the rural district councils to achieve set goals,” said Cde Musendo.
He described the initiatives as a game-changer in the empowerment drive for the former freedom fighters in the province.
Cde Musendo added that the programmes will improve their household livelihoods and guarantee sustainability.
“With this development, our lives are changing for the better. Now with a decent roof over our heads and clean water always available, we can also venture into agricultural production. The farm mechanisation and revolving fund to kick-start income-generating projects will go a long way in empowering us and the surrounding communities. This will significantly transform our socio-economic fortunes. All our members in the province who benefited from the revolving fund have already embarked on ventures like agricultural production, aquaculture, poultry and animal husbandry, among others,” he said.
Cde Sheba Mvere, of Mutare said they have fully embraced the empowerment programmes.
“One step at a time, we are getting empowered as war veterans. These solar-powered house and boreholes as well as the income-generating projects we are benefitting are the sweet fruits of the independence we fought for during the liberation war. The farm mechanisation will also enable us to actively contribute to the transformation of our communities and overall development as we engage in agricultural enterprises. These are all the rewards of the land we fought for,” said Cde Mvere.
Another ex-combatant, Cde Peter Musimwa, of Makoni said the holistic nature of the projects ensures that no one and no place is left behind.
Cde Musimwa said after benefiting from the revolving fund, he has embarked on a thriving aquaculture project.
The Presidential War Veterans Empowerment Programmes are being implemented in partnership with Prevail International.
An official from Prevail International, Ms Tariro Dondo said they are accelerating the projects rollout.
She said they are on course to meet all the targets, not only at provincial level, but countrywide.
“Implementation of the Presidential programmes is being expedited to ensure their completion in time. All the provinces have so far received empowerment funds. Some have already benefitted from the housing projects just as we are witnessing here in Buhera. Every province in the country is benefitting from these projects,” said Ms Dondo.
