ZDF’s community development efforts bring hope to Tsholotsho

Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter

For the past three years, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) has been actively engaged in Tsholotsho district, Matabeleland North province, bringing about significant transformation through infrastructure development and fostering a strong, mutually beneficial relationship with the local community.

Military convoys have become a common sight on the roads that lead to Tsholotsho as ZDF officers deployed for what has become one of the biggest military community assistance programmes to be held in the province.

In 2022, through its community assistance week, the ZDF handed over classroom blocks constructed by the ZDF 1 Infantry Brigade with the Mbamba clinic handed over last year in August.

On Tuesday, the Deputy Minister of Defence and Security Brigadier General (rtd) Levi Mayihlome handed over classroom blocks at Tshino Secondary School.

Speaking during the hand over, Brig Gen (rtd) Mayihlome said the increasing number of completed and ongoing projects around the country and Matabeleland North, and in Tsholotsho in particular, is a clear demonstration of the strong ties between the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and the communities.

“It is delightful to note that the ZDF Community Assistance Programme which started off many years ago focusing on minor activities has been transformed to encompass bigger and more impactful projects.

“Under the ZDF Community Assistance Programme, the ZDF, as part of its peacetime operations, avails its skilled personnel for the refurbishment and construction of public facilities free of charge. The communities, in turn, provide the required building material and general labour,” he said.

He said they believe that their provision of skilled labour free of charge, will reduce the total costs of the projects, resulting in communities affording to embark on these projects while their participation in community development projects is in sync with President Mnangagwa’s mantra on development that “ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo”.

“Allow me to extend my gratitude to the contribution being made by traditional leaders in promoting development in Matabeleland North and Tsholotsho in particular. Apart from mobilising communities to contribute towards development in our areas

“Chiefs and traditional leaders are also the custodians of the infrastructure that we are building. In that regard, I would like to thank Chief Matuphula and other traditional and local leaders in this area for mobilising resources for this project,” he said.

He also commended Zimbabweans from Tsholotsho who are in the diaspora for not turning their backs on their area of origin as they continue to contribute to the development of Tsholotsho through various ways that include mobilising funding for community projects.

Traditionally the ZDF also conducts medical outreach programmes as part of the ZDF Community Assistance Week and in that vein, a medical team is conducting free outreach medical assistance in Tsholotsho at Sipepa Rural Hospital to enhance access to medical services for the beneficiaries.

Chief Mathuphula expressed his gratitude to the ZDF saying looking at the completed and ongoing projects and the efforts being made by various stakeholders, he is hopeful that the shortage of infrastructure at the school will soon be a thing of the past.

Tshino Secondary School was established in 2018 in order to enhance access to education in this area. The establishment of the school reduced the distance travelled to the nearest secondary school for many students. At its inception, the newly established school faced a shortage of infrastructure.

More projects will be handed over during the 2024 Zimbabwe Defence Forces Community Assistance Week. The Permanent Secretary for Defence Mr Aaro Nhepera will be officially handing over a classroom block at Tsungai Primary School in Gokwe Nembudziya. The Commander ZDF will be officiating at Charles Luwanga Secondary School in Chimanimani where the ZDF together with other stakeholders constructed classroom blocks at the school’s new site.

This follows the decision by the Government to move the school to a new site after the devastating impact of Cyclone Idai.

@nyeve14