The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi
Post Reporter
The Chiadzwa Community Share Ownership Trust (CCSOT) has been formed to ensure value-addition and beneficiation of local diamonds while spearheading tangible development in Marange and other surrounding areas.
CCSOT is an investment vehicle meant to operationalise and utilise the diamond concession granted to the Marange community by Government in January 2019.
Its formation and registration, as provided for by Statutory Instrument 21 of 2021, was a culmination of a meeting held by the local leadership and the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Nokuthula Matsikenyeri, in May.
Zimbabwe Disaster Relief Agency (ZIDRA), a private voluntary organisation that assists communities endangered by disasters, coordinated the establishment of CCSOT.
CCSOT is composed of four tiers – Chiadzwa (Ward 30), Mukwada (Ward 29), Mutsago and the rest of the Marange community.
It is being steered by a board comprising traditional leaders from the four tiers namely Chief Marange (chair), Headmen Chiadzwa, Mukwada, and Mutsago.
Mutare District Development Coordinator (DDC), Mr Wilson Boore and Mutare Rural District Council chief executive officer, Mr Shepherd Chinaka also sit on the board.
Representatives of civic society, business community, those with disabilities, gender, Arda Transau and Hotsprings communities as well as local legal and accounting professionals also sit on the board.
Speaking on the sidelines of an induction workshop held this week, board secretary Dr Hardwork Mukwada said they had adopted an all-inclusive approach to operationalise CCSOT and foster unity
of purpose, transparency and accountability so as to deliver on their mandate and vision.
“The establishment of CCSOT is a positive development and step in the right direction. Its operations will be a game changer to the Marange community and surrounding areas. Our mandate is to address, meet and deliver the needs of everyone, including the disabled, elderly, women and youths. This is a public entity and transparency and accountability are key in successfully driving it forward,” said Dr Mukwada.
He hailed Government for recognising the need to empower local people by granting them a diamond concession.
Through the Zimbabwe Diamond Policy which entitles the community to a five percent equity from profits declared by the two mining companies operating in Chiadzwa, Dr Mukwada said Government was on course to achieve the empowerment drive as this will provide them with resources to take off.
Dr Mukwada said they are ready to work together with the private sector like Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company and Anjin, who are already carrying out mining activities in Chiadzwa.
He said CCSOT will shake off the bad legacy of its predecessor – the Zimunya-Marange Community Share Ownership Trust – which has since folded, adding that they are determined to set a precedence that other communities can borrow a leaf from.
Dr Mukwada said their grand vision is to establish a mining town in Marange using proceeds from their operations and develop the surrounding areas.
Minister Matsikenyeri said Government will continue rendering all the required support to CCSOT in line with the devolution agenda whose thrust is to leave no person and place behind.
“The service you will render is actually key to attaining the upper middle class economy as envisaged by Vision 2030 through the National Development Strategy (NDS1). This will certainly transform and improve the Marange community, thereby bringing development to the area,” she said.
Chief Marange applauded Government for prioritising the empowerment and development of rural communities.
He expressed optimism that CCSOT will bring meaningful transformation to the local community and surrounding areas.
“This development will create employment for locals and improve the lives of many. We cherish Government’s support and our involvement as traditional leaders means our people’s interests are well represented,” he said.
