Story by Tamuka Charakupa
Government has commended war veterans in Mashonaland West Province for spearheading sector-led businesses which are contributing significantly to improved livelihoods.
Government’s ‘Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo’ mantra which is guiding national development has received the buy-in from war veterans in Mashonaland West who have ventured into horticultural and mining production.
The veterans-led initiative includes installation of solar-powered boreholes, thereby promoting all-year round production.
“We have realised that we cannot continue to rely on the government for everything hence we have coordinated ourselves to start our own projects. To date, we have installed at least 103 boreholes for our comrades which is promoting self-sustainability,” said Mashonaland West War Veterans League treasurer, Cde Felix Dube.
“Mining was formally a men’s field but through the partnership with Rio Tinto, we are participating in the sector. More so we have received financial literacy from two local banks meaning we are better placed in terms of sound use of money for sustainable business growth,” added a war veteran.
“We are appreciative of the efforts being put forward by our government towards the welfare of war veterans. We are now being allocated land for farming and accessing loans to start own businesses,” said another.
Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs Senator Monica Mavhunga, who toured several veterans-initiated projects in Kadoma, reiterated government’s commitment to improving war veterans’ welfare.
“I had the privilege of touring irrigation projects supported by Old Mutual together with Gi-Glow. The projects have solar power installed, a demonstration of the benefits of converting the God given abundant solar to good use. I am reliably informed that to date, 103 boreholes and the setting up of related irrigation infrastructure has been completed in the three districts. I also had the privilege of touring mining tributes which were allocated to veterans. I was also happy and gratified by the financial literacy training which has been given to horticulture farmers who were supported by Old Mutual,” Senator Mavhunga.
Government is rolling out various empowerment projects for the benefit of war veterans through implementation of the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Act, the National Heroes Act and War Victims Compensation Act.
