dyton mupawaenda
Thupeyo Muleya-Beitbridge Bureau
For decades, the community of Beitbridge, nestled near the uMzingwane and Limpopo Rivers, has grappled with the challenges of human-wildlife conflict.
Each farming season, communal farmers watched helplessly as elephants and other wildlife raided their crops, particularly in wards 6, 7 and 8, where each ward is home to over 7 000 people.
The haunting memories of wildlife attacks linger, especially in areas like Ha Mathavha, Masera, and Ha Makakavhule.
However, a new chapter is unfolding for the Beitbridge community with the establishment of the US$3.6 billion Palm River Energy Metallurgical Special Economic Zone and Industrial Park.
Located just 20km west of the border town, this monumental project is set to drive economic development while reducing human-wildlife conflicts.
The initiative, born from discussions between President Mnangagwa and Palm River Energy Chairman Mr Xong Xi Dong, aims to create thousands of jobs for local residents.
Already, the project has generated 400 new jobs, helping to buffer against the risk of farming with the wildlife incursions.
Among other things, the Palm River Park will introduce a state-of-the-art integrated mining and energy hub, focusing on stainless steel production.
Over 12 years, the project will unfold in four phases, ultimately creating over 10 000 jobs. The first phase is already underway, showcasing a joint venture between the Government, Xintai Resources, and Tuli Coal.
“This is a beautiful project, it does not only create jobs for local communities, but will certainly reduce human-wildlife conflict. I can’t count the number of relatives and friends who died from wildlife attacks but now there is life born from this industry, it’s an amazing transformation,” said Bhekimpilo Moyo, who was among scores of people who witnessed the ground-breaking ceremony by President Mnangagwa on Monday.
The industrial park, which will serve as an integrated mining and energy hub, is being implemented in four phases over 12 years.
Already, the project has created 400 jobs for local residents and acts as a buffer zone between communities and the marauding wildlife. The park includes a 100 MW thermal power plant, with the first 50MW on grid this month, a coal wash plant with a capacity of 160 000 tonnes per year, and a chrome smelting plant. Future phases will see the construction of a coking plant producing 1 million tonnes of coke annually, a ferro-chrome smelting plant producing 100 000 tonnes of high-carbon ferro-chrome, and a 1 200 MW coal-fired thermal power plant.
Surplus electricity will be fed into the national grid, while the ferro-chrome plant will support the production of stainless steel and castings.
The project’s impact extends beyond industrial development. Beitbridge Rural District Council Acting chief executive Peter Ncube noted that the industrial park has already led to a significant reduction in human-wildlife conflict, a perennial issue in the area.
“This is a milestone project for us as a community and we have started seeing a significant reduction in human-wildlife conflict in that area which had become perennial”.
Council chairperson Councillor Oscar Chiromo highlighted the project’s community benefits, including corporate social responsibility initiatives.
“We also applaud their community social responsibility programmes, including gully reclamation, and toilets construction at Makakavhule primary school, and a donation of cement for the rehabilitation of the Sentinel bridge along Ipayi river,” said Cllr Chiromo.
Local residents have welcomed the development with open arms.
Lumbedzani Ribombo, a member of the local residents’ association, praised the investment, noting its potential to create jobs and spur economic growth.
“We laud the President (Mnangagwa) for laying a good foundation for us to have such a huge investment in our area,” said Mr Ribombo
Similarly, chairperson of the Beitbridge Informal Traders’ Association Mr Mafios Macheka highlighted the project’s potential to transform the local economy, improve infrastructure, and provide much-needed electricity to the community.
“It also important that some business opportunities are going to create shops among other things. In addition, this project comes with electricity generation which will benefit the Beitbridge community. We are also hopeful that infrastructure like roads to the plant will improve, and the community will use the improved roads,” he said.
The project has also garnered political support, with Beitbridge West legislator Cde Thusani Ndou commending Government for driving rural transformation and industrialisation.
“It also important that some business opportunities are going to come up, including retail stores, among other ventures. In addition, this project comes with electricity generation which will benefit the Beitbridge community. We are also hopeful that infrastructure like roads to the plant will improve, and the community will use the improved roads,” he said.
Beitbridge East legislator Cde Albert Nguluvhe said the project’s potential to create 10 000 jobs and boost local businesses is glad tidings for the community of Beitbridge.
“The Palm River project is going to bring a lot of business for the country and the district in particular. This will be the first industry which, when on full throttle, will employ 10 000 people and preferably locals. It will have high effects on the business in Beitbridge. People will have income which will boost all the businesses in our town. Hopefully, the price of steel products will come down and those from Midlands involved in chrome mining now have a ready market of their products to boost the value addition concept,” said Cde Nguluvhe.
Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Dr Evelyn Ndlovu said the industrial park would play a crucial role in the attainment of the envisaged Vision 2030.
Chairman of the Xinganglian Metallurgy company Mr Zhou Xudong, the implementing partner in the project, said they would introduce a scholarship fund worth US$500 000 in the next 10 years to fund the education of exceptional students from Beitbridge to study in China.
The Palm River Energy project represents more than just industrial growth—it is a beacon of hope for the Beitbridge community.
By addressing human-wildlife conflict, creating jobs, and fostering sustainable development, this initiative is set to transform lives and pave the way for a brighter future.
As President Mnangagwa stated during the ground-breaking ceremony, this project is a testament to Zimbabwe’s commitment to progress and prosperity. For the people of Beitbridge, it is a long-awaited opportunity to turn the page on decades of hardship and embrace a new era of opportunity.
Online Reporter