Story by Providence Maraneli
GOVERNMENT’S dam economy concept is in motion in Matabeleland South Province, with seven village business units having been established along the Mtshabezi Dam pipeline.
What a bold statement from the National Development Strategy’s food and security cluster aimed at enhancing food self-sufficiency, improving nutrition and building resilience against climate change.
The concept applies at Mtshabezi Dam, which not only takes water to Bulawayo, but supports various irrigation schemes, village business units, fisheries programme and tourism.
Apart from conveying water from the 50 million cm2 to Bulawayo for domestic use, the pipeline supports various economic activities in Matabeleland South province.
“This is one of the key drivers of Matabeleland South economy, the dam supplies water to Mtshabezi, Zidlabusiku and Mzinyathini irrigation schemes, seven Village business units along the pipeline, and during the summer, we see a lot of tourists here doing a lot of activities which are critical for the province’s economy,” Agritex Deputy Director, Mr Mkunjulelwa Ndlovu noted.
Ntshene Village Business Unit, one of the seven established along the Mtshabezi pipeline, has become a clear example of how the initiative is transforming livelihoods, with the local community acknowledging its positive impact.
“Our Mtshabezi Dam has an impact on our lives; we grow crops, and we are happy that water is now reaching us. We also have a water reservoir taking from the pipeline for cattle,” a community member said.
“We did not know that we could have fresh mealies in December, but we are now doing it,” another added.
The dam economy concept is therefore not just theoretical, but a practical reality that is transforming lives, particularly in rural communities.
