Chronicle Editor
Thokozile Mbedzi, [email protected]
FORTY-ONE teachers from the Matabeleland region are set to benefit from a housing scheme launched by the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) as part of non-monetary incentives for its members.
The initiative, aimed at improving the welfare of teachers, is being implemented in collaboration with GG Land Developers, who have provided serviced land in Upper Rangemore, Bulawayo.
In an interview, Zimta’s Bulawayo provincial chairperson, Ms Sehlile Thebe said the association has invited interested members to register for payment plans at their offices.
“This is the third batch of stand allocations for our Zimta members since the launch of the scheme under Vulindlela. We found that everyone has the potential to buy a house or raise enough deposit for a stand,” she said.
“We signed an MoU with GG Land Developers, which allows our members to benefit from a zero deposit scheme. Members will pay in installments, and once they reach 35 percent of the payment, they will be allocated a stand.”
The residential stands will benefit teachers from Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, and Matabeleland South provinces.
Ms Thebe said GG Land Developers is also introducing a new rent-to-buy scheme, which has generated significant excitement among members due to the added convenience and flexibility.
Zimta Matabeleland South provincial chairperson, Mr Hope Khumalo, encouraged more teachers to join the association, highlighting the importance of being protected from unscrupulous land developers.
“We are targeting all the teachers to join Zimta to make sure our teachers are well safeguarded and not dumped by some land developers who may take their money and later dump them.”
He said there is a guaranteed timeous allocation of stands.
“We realised that stands alone they are not good enough hence we further engaged GG to supply us with the rent to buy houses, which comes as a relief to our members. As Zimta, we are trying to bridge the gap between the members’ needs and what we can afford,” said Mr Khumalo.
He said the housing scheme represents a lifetime investment for teachers, with properties that can be passed on from generation to generation.
The scheme will soon be expanded to other areas, including Plumtree, Beitbridge, Gwanda, Matobo, and Maphisa.
Zimta Matabeleland North provincial executive member, Mr Paul Nyakutombwa, praised teachers for their enthusiasm in embracing the scheme, noting its long-term benefits.
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