Story by Tafara Chikumira
ZHOMBE — The Government has commissioned the Senkwasi Village Business Unit (VBU) and a solar-powered dip tank under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), marking a major milestone in the Second Republic’s ongoing rural industrialisation efforts in Senkwasi, Zhombe.
The VBU, which is expected to open up income-generating opportunities for the local population was officially commissioned alongside a solarised dip tank aimed at combating the deadly January disease which has devastated livestock in the area.
Zhombe legislator, Honourable Edmore Samambwa, commended the community for its proactive approach and underscored the critical role played by the new infrastructure in improving livelihoods.
“It is a new era for the people of this community. This dip tank, initiated by the villagers, is a huge step. I must point out that one of our villagers recently succumbed to high blood pressure after losing 37 cattle to January disease. This intervention comes not a moment too soon,” he said.
Senator, Engineer Daniel Mackenzie Ncube, also present at the event
lauded the community for embodying the national development vision.
“I am very proud of you, the people of Zhombe. You have fulfilled the President’s mantra that ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo’. It is through your commitment and unity that we are celebrating these achievements today,” he said.
Traditional leaders and villagers echoed similar sentiments, expressing deep appreciation for the life-changing infrastructure developments.
“Things were not well in this area. We used to travel long distances to access dipping services. Now we have this dip tank here, and the difference it makes is beyond words,” Headman Sikhanya said.
“This place is dry. We used to struggle for water, but now we can simply open the tap and collect clean water. Life has truly changed.” a villager, Gogo Shumba said.
Mrs Melita Ncube, a young mother and beneficiary of the Village Business Unit’s nutritional garden, also spoke with hope.
“I am very grateful. Through this initiative, we are growing cash crops and can now support our children’s education,” she said.
Presiding over the commissioning ceremony, Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to inclusive development.
“The Senkwasi Solarised Borehole underscores the New Dispensation’s inclusive modernisation approach that addresses the rural-urban divide where piped water and electricity were only available for urban communities demonstrating the Second Republic’s commitment to integrate rural livelihoods with the broader industrialisation value chains. Furthermore, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Cde Mnangagwa is seized with inclusive and broad-based empowerment of previously marginalized rural communities through the provision of climate smart technologies and infrastructure development,” he said.
The Village Business Unit aligns with the Second Republic’s Rural Development 8.0 model, promoting industrialisation and value chain integration in rural settings.
The dip tank, meanwhile, supports the Livestock Recovery and Growth Plan, a key pillar in Zimbabwe’s agriculture-based economy.
