Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike-Senior Reporter
LAND developer, Eddies Pfugari Properties (Pvt) Ltd has availed five hectares of land in Whitecliffe to war veterans for the establishment of small businesses as part of its empowerment initiatives.
The land, located along the Harare–Bulawayo Road, is expected to accommodate 500 beneficiaries involved in various small-scale enterprises.
Company director Mr Edward Nyanyiwa (Jnr) confirmed the development, saying the land was ready for occupation.
“I am a veteran, but from South Africa where I grew up. My father is Zimbabwean, making me also Zimbabwean. During the liberation struggle, I fought on the South African front. In South Africa, I have seen that veterans who liberated the nation must be empowered.”
He said it had concerned him that war veterans residing at Whitecliffe Farm, an area developed by his company, lacked adequate empowerment support.
“The Government and my company are looking forward to regularising the place soon and a deal is in the pipeline. Some veterans have benefited from other Government streams, some have land, but others are not earning enough from the land they occupy.”
He said the identified piece of land, measuring over five hectares and situated at the edge of the Harare–Bulawayo Road, had been set aside to empower former freedom fighters.
“I then saw it fit to say, why don’t I empower our war veterans? For us to be free, to call it Zimbabwe, they played a crucial role — they liberated us.
“Some are still crippled today because of their service and sacrifice.”
He said the initiative also aligned with Vision 2030 and complemented efforts by President Mnangagwa.
“We decided to partner with the war veterans. We came up with small SMEs on that land. Whatever ideas they bring to the table, we are amenable to them and ready to do business with them.
“The war veterans are coming up with structures to operationalise the agreement. As Pfugari, we are eager to support them since war veterans are a very important pillar in this nation.”
Secretary for War Veterans in Zvimba East Constituency, Cde Elishah Marisa, welcomed the development, saying structures were already in place to implement the project.
“We are looking at how we can put the idea into motion. We want to set up structures that accommodate many people and at the same time not inconvenience those already on the ground.”
He said engagements with local members in Whitecliffe were ongoing to accelerate the process.
“We are very excited to have such empowerment initiatives.”
Cabinet, during its 33rd session, approved the “User Pays Principle” for compensating landowners whose properties were used for housing projects.
Under this model, 11 000 beneficiaries will pay the full development costs, including the land value, servicing and other related expenses.
The Government will facilitate negotiations between landowners and residents to enable direct purchase agreements over a specified period.
