We will stop migration for menial jobs: Vice President Chiwenga

Mukudzei Chingwere

THE Government’s transformative economic development programmes are primed to impact communities in a manner that should put a stop to the continued migration of youths to other countries in search of menial jobs, Vice President, Dr Constantino Chiwenga, said yesterday.

He was speaking in Mangwe District, Matabeleland South Province, where he assessed the implementation progress of the Makorokoro Nutrition Garden, a project commissioned by President Mnangagwa in 2021.

This visit, which also saw him visit Matobo District marks the beginning of a three-day tour across Matabeleland South, aimed at ensuring that local communities fully benefit from various Government initiatives.

Vice President Chiwenga’s itinerary includes visits to several key projects in the province, such as the Maphisa Arda Irrigation Scheme, Bishopstone Estate and Factory, Nottingham Estate, Palm River Energy Project, Gwanda Lithium Mine, Tuli-Manyange Dam, and Garanyemba Village Business Unit.

The projects are crucial components of the Government’s rural industrialisation drive, which seeks to uplift communities and ensure inclusive development.

“We are here to ensure that our people can fully leverage the benefits of these projects,” said VP Chiwenga.

“We don’t want you to go to neighbouring countries to look for menial jobs. We’re creating an environment for you to work and earn meaningfully here.

“I am aware that there is a lot of gold in this province, and we want to see it going to Fidelity for the benefit of the country. Those in mining must be paid well for their efforts,” he said.

VP Chiwenga said the Makorokoro Nutrition Garden is just one example of how Government was working to improve food security and promote sustainable agriculture in communities.

“Here is where we pioneered these projects. I will tell the President His Excellency Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa that the people of Makorokoro are doing very well. You have not let us down,” he said.

“You have your challenges like adequate water supply and we will support you to be fully productive.

“We have come on a visit of Matabeleland South Province to see the projects that the Second Republic started and also the projects that we would want see developed to greater productivity across sectors.

“We want to see what is happening so that we can be able to gauge the growth of our economy,” said VP Chiwenga.

The Government is also enthused by the revival of the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (Arda), which VP Chiwenga said had shown remarkable strides given that it faced near collapse in previous years.

The revival of Arda is expected to play a crucial role in the Government’s broader strategy to ensure food self-sufficiency and economic resilience, and the success stories emerging from Arda Antelope could provide a template for future agricultural projects across Zimbabwe.

VP Chiwenga also praised the performance of wheat crops at Arda Antelope, which has 588 hectares under wheat with an impressive average of 7,8 tonnes per hectare.

“Arda had almost collapsed years ago, and that they have managed to get 732 hectares of maize is beyond description,” he said.

“That is what we would want to see. Then the wheat crop, which was 588 hectares with an average of 7,8 tonnes per hectare, that’s a great success.

“So, we came here to see the developments that have taken place here at Arda Antelope,” said VP Chiwenga.

Local leaders and community members have expressed optimism about the Vice President’s visit, hoping it will lead to increased support and resources for ongoing projects.

The Government aims to ensure that no one and no place is left behind in the country’s development journey.

“When we came back from the war, former Vice President Joshua Nkomo told us that our former colonial masters made money from farming and we should also make the most from our land,” said Chief Hobodo born Adolf Ncube.

Vice President Chiwenga was accompanied by Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Albert Nguluvhe and other senior Government officials.