Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
CONSTRUCTION of Semwa Dam in Mashonaland Central Province is advancing steadily, with the major water infrastructure project poised to transform Rushinga and Mount Darwin districts into a sustainable green belt anchored on irrigation, fisheries and economic development.
Once completed, the dam is expected to support a wide economic ecosystem including water supply, agriculture, fisheries, tourism and local trade, significantly improving livelihoods in the drought-prone region.
Workers are currently laying foundations for what will become the province’s largest water reservoir, with a storage capacity of 260 000 megalitres.
Key works underway include preparations for a second solar plant to power the batching plant, as well as ongoing dam wall construction activities.
Semwa Dam Assistant Resident Engineer, Engineer Francis Dzenga, said the project is progressing on schedule with major preparatory works in progress.
“We are now on 45.88 completion and doing mostly preparatory works on the superstructure. We are making precast concrete blocks for the inspection gallery. We have two inspection galleries. So far, we have made 470 blocks out of 600, which are required for gallery one. We are also doing rock blasting and crushing for aggregates at an average of 3 500 cubic meters per week,” Semwa Dam Assistant Resident Engineer Francis Dzenga said.
The local community is confident the dam will provide reliable water access in the dry area, transforming lives across two districts in addition to unlocking farming and fishery opportunities.
“This area is dry, and we expect to get water. We expect to benefit from projects in this area, which is lagging behind. For a long back we know one shop this place, but we want to be known and hope there will be stands for people here,” Maname Resident Emmanuel Viga said.
“Already I am engaged in fishing activities, but I am benefiting from that, but I hope when the dam is finished, I will go full scale in fishing and embark on irrigation,” Dotito Resident Gatsi Gapiti said.
This monumental undertaking is not just about water; it is a catalyst for socio-economic growth. The project is creating thousands of jobs and boosting local businesses.
An enterprising businessman has already set up a new leisure joint on the road to Semwa Dam, ready to provide entertainment to visitors.
“We expect people to visit here. They will come to see Semwa Dam and we will have goods found in Harare for them. We built a stage where we expect Sungura artistes like Simon Mutambi and Macheso to come,” KwaBoss Chatadza Manager Tawonezvi Musara said.
According to the Rushinga Rural District Council Master Plan, Semwa Dam will be a game changer in the economy of the area.
“As Rushinga RDC, this will greatly help us. The capacity is almost 260 000 mega litres, so it will catch a lot of water. Our people will irrigate, and the district will be a green belt. The place is hot and gets little rainfall, less than 500 ml per year. People will get water to drink also. Chimhanda Dam is heavily stilted and does not hold much water. Semwa will also help us in terms of tourism, people will visit we will also have fishing activities. In terms of food security, as Rushinga, our people will get enough food,” Rushinga RDC Chairperson Alderman Maja Mafunga said.
Located on the Ruya River, Semwa Dam cuts across two Rushinga and Mount Darwin districts which implies greater impact for the community.
With every brick laid, the future of Mashonaland Central is being built, one that is rich in opportunity and sustainability.
