Story by Providence Maraneli
The Second Republic’s inclusive development agenda continues with the Mpisini community of Umzingwane being the latest to benefit from the construction of a bridge through devolution funds.
The people of Mpisini in Umzingwane district who used to endure torrid times accessing critical services due to the flooding Mpisini River have commended the government’s stance on inclusive development following the construction of the bridge by the Umzingwane Rural District Council (RDC) using devolution funds.
“We are so grateful for the construction of this bridge. It was difficult for our children during the rainy season, they could spend days across and could not go to school,” said a community member.
Another added, “We are grateful, people would not access Mpisini Clinic. Women would give birth waiting for the river to recede.”
Mpisini councillor Cde John Sibanda said, “We feel uplifted, our people were struggling to access services now it’s easy because of this river, now it’s easy.”
Mpisini Bridge is part of devolution projects undertaken by Umzingwane RDC to improve service delivery.
“Apart from purchasing the grader for our roads, we also used the devolution funds to construct this bridge after realising that our people were facing challenges because of the Mpisini River that would cut the communities of Bayethe and Mpisini,” said Umzingwane RDC CEO, Mrs Sithembiso Nzangane.
Government is committed to inclusive development with funds from ZINARA, Constituency Development Fund and Devolution Funds being the major drivers of development.
Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Evelyn Ndlovu said, “Mpisini Bridge was constructed in a resettlement area noticing that most resettlement areas are lagging in terms of development. I am reliably informed that the Mpisini Bridge which lies along Mpisini Road will enable easy accessibility to Bayethe Business Centre, Bayethe Secondary and Primary schools as well as Mpisini Rural Health Centre.
“Accessibility to these areas had been a challenge, especially during the rainy seasons. In some cases, the community of Ward 14 had to risk crossing the flooded river to access basic services and unfortunately, cases of drowning and loss of property have been recorded,” she added.
Mpisini Bridge connects Bayethe, Mpisini Mangweni, Bafazi and Malungwane communities.
