Work on Runde-Tende Dam set to commence

George Maponga in MASVINGO

GOVERNMENT is finalising preparations for commencement of construction of the Runde-Tende Dam in southern Masvingo, which will be used to irrigate over 35 000 hectares (ha) in the Lowveld and transform Masvingo province into an agricultural hub.

The new dam, which will be built at the confluence of Runde and Tende rivers in Shindi communal lands, Chivi district, will also provide
water to South Africa’s Limpopo province.

Bulk water will be conveyed from Runde-Tende to Limpopo through a pipeline, earning Zimbabwe hard currency.

In an interview, Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira said plans for commencement of work were now at an advanced stage.

“Runde-Tende Dam will irrigate more than 35 000ha in the Lowveld and when we factor in the 40 000ha that will be irrigated by Tugwi-Mukosi Dam, it means we will have a greenbelt in southern Masvingo extending nearly 80 000ha, making our province an irrigation hub,” said Minister Chadzamira.

“Some of the water from Runde-Tende will also be exported to South Africa’s Limpopo province via pipeline.

“We are very optimistic that the new dam project will take off soon because the province is pushing for the project to start.”

Runde-Tende and Tugwi-Mukosi dams are major anchors of the Lowveld Integrated Irrigation Masterplan that envisages the creation of a vast greenbelt straddling 200 000ha.

The greenbelt will major in the production of citrus, sugar and maize.