Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata in KABUYUNI, Gokwe North
ZIMBABWE Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), working with Carbon Green Africa (CGA), has strengthened efforts to link conservation with community development through the donation of 82 desks to Kabuyuni Primary School and six sewing machines to Nenyunga Secondary School.
The handover ceremony, held at Kabuyuni Primary School, supports Section 75 of the Constitution, which guarantees every citizen’s right to education and complements the Government’s Vision 2030 agenda and its philosophy of “leaving no one and no place behind.”
Speaking on behalf of ZimParks Director-General, Professor Edson Gandiwa, Director of Operations Mr Arthur Musakwa said the gesture went beyond the delivery of educational resources.
He said the donation was an investment in the future of rural learners and a demonstration of national commitment to ensuring access to quality education for all.
“These items, though simple in appearance, represent something far greater, they are investments in the future of our children and our communities,” Prof Gandiwa said.
“By donating these desks and sewing machines, we are fulfilling part of the constitutional promise to ensure every child, regardless of location or circumstance, has access to quality learning opportunities.”
Prof Gandiwa said protected areas have a strong relationship with surrounding communities and national parks such as Chizarira, Matusadona and Chirisa formed an important ecological and socio-economic network that needed to deliver tangible benefits to local people. “Our national parks do not exist in isolation. They are connected to, and dependent on, the surrounding communities.
“Let these items symbolise unity, progress and hope — a reminder that when we work together, we can build a Zimbabwe that truly leaves no one and no place behind.”
Carbon Green Africa Chief Executive Officer Mr Charles Ndondo said the Chirisa REDD+ Project was structured to ensure that communities living alongside wildlife benefited directly from conservation and carbon credit initiatives.
He said the project area bordered Gokwe South, Gokwe North and Binga communities, which faced human–wildlife conflict and therefore needed to benefit from conservation efforts.
“These communities cannot be left out,” Mr Ndondo said.
“We agreed before signing with ZimParks that some benefits should be channelled into communities that also bear the burden of living with these animals.”
Mr Ndondo said the project had so far attracted more than US$4.4 million in foreign investment, in line with the country’s investment policy.
He said the project had faced delays after the cancellation of its 2023 audit due to the need for new Government regulations on the carbon credit programmed and the audit had since been completed and now awaited verification and validation before credits could be issued.
Mr Ndondo said the investment had supported a range of activities including staff housing renovations, solar-powered boreholes, anti-poaching activities, dam scooping, junior ranger programmes, nutrition gardens, climate-smart agriculture and the procurement of vehicles and radio communication systems.
“We look positive for the project continuity, and more community projects should be rolled out,” he said.
“Let us collectively protect our environment and our wildlife so all of us benefit, not individuals through illegal activities.”
Gokwe North Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer David Manyau, in a speech read by Mrs Chengeto Maisiri welcomed the gesture and urged communities to protect wildlife so they could continue benefiting from conservation initiatives.
“We are happy with this donation and we have learnt that our animals will make us have money to improve our communities,” he said.
“We have a problem with water, sanitation and infrastructure development and we hope ZimParks and its partners will help solve these.”
Member of Parliament for Kabuyuni Constituency Cde Spencer Chuma also commended the support and called for its expansion to other schools in the constituency.
Cde Chuma urged ZimParks to respond timeously to rising cases of human–wildlife conflict during the farming season.
“Let it not be the last time but the beginning of an endless relationship,” he said.
“This season, human–wildlife conflict is worse and we plead with ZimParks to react fast so that we reduce such cases.”
The event demonstrated the growing impact of carbon credit partnerships and conservation programmes in uplifting rural communities.
The support would improve learning conditions at the two schools and strengthen cooperation between conservation authorities and communities in the Sebungwe region.
