Story by Wellington Makonese
RESIDENTS of Chishumba in Magunje have applauded the Second Republic for spearheading rural development through projects such as dam scooping and road rehabilitation, which are expected to go a long way in boosting their socio-economic prospects.
For the past 20 years, Tryness Makanyaire has had to contend with walking for at least three km to access water for domestic use and livestock.
The nearby water point, Chishumba Dam which has been affected by siltation dries up as soon as the rainy season ends.
“My situation lives a lot to be desired, I require at least 5 bucket fills of water for bathing and home use daily, and I have 7 children. At the same time, I need water to irrigate my plants, therefore it is important to have the dam worked on,” said Makanyire.
This is however a thing of the past for Makanyire and hundreds of other villagers after the launch of an initiative to desilt the dam and rehabilitate roads.
“We are grateful to President Mnangagwa for the people he has sent to give us dams, water has been a challenge, the same with having roads we can now transport our produce,” said Chief Mudzimu.
“Transporters were charging us unfairly as a result of poor roads, this intervention by the MP is noble,” said a villager.
Another added, “We wake up at around 5 am just to find water to wash, and the water has not been enough for us and cattle, that’s why this project is important.”
ZANU PF candidate for Magunje Constituency, Cde Super Monga Madiro is also heavily involved in the interventions meant to uplift livelihoods in the constituency.
He said, “Our people struggle to have access to water, that’s why we have started dam scooping this is just one of them, President Emmerson Mnangagwa is rolling out borehole projects which we are also working towards to have in each and every village.”
CCC aspiring legislator, Mr Tonderai Kusemamuriwo refused to take up the opportunity to speak on his plans for the constituency.
“Unfortunately, I cannot speak to you right now I can only come back to you after being cleared,” he said.
Magunje is one of the 22 constituencies in Mashonaland West Province up for grabs in general elections set for Wednesday this week.
