Story by Providence Maraneli
THE Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) has commenced construction of a clinic in Malibeng, Beitbridge West, bringing renewed hope to the marginalised community as part of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) Community Assistance Week.
The development has been warmly welcomed by local residents, who for years have struggled to access healthcare services due to the absence of medical facilities in the area.
“Our women give birth at home because they cannot go to the hospital, it is very far. I cannot believe we are seeing a clinic being constructed in our lifetime. This area was lost. We have been struggling. People would die because of snake bites and other small ailments since there was no clinic here,” one of the beneficiaries said.
The local leadership has nothing but praise for the AFZ, saying its gesture dovetails with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.
“We are so grateful to the Air Force of Zimbabwe for choosing this area that was once marginalised. Our people were praying for this, and now they have been answered,” Beitbridge West Legislator, Honourable Thusani Ndou noted.
“We thank the Air Force of Zimbabwe for coming to one of the once marginalised communities to construct this clinic. I encourage the traditional leaders to coordinate labour so that the clinic is finished on time,” the Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Albert Nguluvhe said.
The clinic, which is among many being implemented across the country, will serve more than eight thousand villagers.
“Our experiences in undertaking these projects to assist communities have taught us a valuable lesson that community participation is a critical success factor. In this project, I am pleased that the Malibeng community and the entire leadership in Matabeleland South Province have embraced the project.
“As the Air Force of Zimbabwe, we are committed to helping communities, and we saw that this community was struggling to access health services, and this is in line with the President’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind,” Air Force of Zimbabwe Commander, Air Marshal Jacob Dzvede added.
The ZDF Community Assistance Week has also seen community members in the area receiving free medical services.
The development comes ahead of the 2025 Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day celebrations set for the 12th of next month under the theme: ‘Zimbabwe Defence Forces: Guaranteeing Peace and Stability for the Attainment of Vision 2030.’
