adminSamuel Kadungure recently in VANDUZI, Mozambique
MANICALAND has set up four technical committees to come up with terms of references and action plans on possible areas of investment in Mozambique. This follows last week’s visit by the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Monica Mutsvangwa to Vanduzi District in Mozambique, where she met Manica Province Governor, Cde Alberto Ricardo Mondlane.
Minister Mutsvangwa’s delegation was made up of Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (arda) board chairman Basil Nyabadza, Tanganda boss Mr Henry Nemaire, ZNCC national vice president Mr Richard Chiwandire, Provincial Administrator Mr Edgar Seenza, director for provincial Affairs in Minister Mutsvangwa’s office Mr Kennedy Mugarisanwa and chairman of Manicaland Business Community (Goodcrew Investors) Mr Joseph Sanhanga among others.
Mr Seenza said the committees were transport, infrastructure and communication; agriculture, lands, environment, tourism and culture; mining and energy; and industry and commerce.
“These committees are made up of technocrats, and are expected to come up with action plans that detail areas of cooperation that we can enter into in the short, medium and long term. They must hit the ground running because they should report back to the inter-provincial convention of the two Manica provinces set to be held on February 22, 2018 in Mutare,” said Mr Seenza.
The agriculture committee, which is headed by Mr Nyabadza was challenged after touring Mozambique’s largest horticultural exporting company run by former Kondozi Estate director and owner, Mr Piet de Klerk.
Kondozi was an Export Processing Zone-registered firm, but was acquired during the land reform programme and allocated to the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (arda) before ownership was transferred to Presidential Scholarships Minister, Chris Mushohwe.
Mr Nyabadza was recently quoted saying arda had triggered the process to revive the sleeping giant of Kondozi Estate.
Since its takeover by both arda and Minister Mushohwe, about a decade ago, Kondozi has largely been a mere shadow of its former self.
The Kondozi set-up was a unique model for the whole of Africa with the biggest out-grower base and engaging the largest pool of local community participation.
Vanduzi Farm produce is exported to supermarkets in Britain, Europe, and South Africa.
Minister Mutsvangwa was also impressed by the work at Vanduzi Farm and said such exploits must be replicated in Zimbabwe.
“We have also managed to visit a wonderful project at Vanduzi Farm where a lot of productivity is taking place. This is what we want back home,” she said.
Meanwhile, Minister Mutsvangwa has expressed her desire to see efficiency improve at Forbes Border Post.
“At the border we know big trucks spend a lot of time and that has to change. We also want to ensure that there is rail activity between Zimbabwe and Mozambique so that we can reduce that congestion. Our roads have become dangerous because of the haulage trucks and we are saying this is the time we need the rail to be operational,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Online Reporter