The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi
Post Reporter
BUHERA is bouncing!
As the district gears up to host the national Independence Day celebrations at Murambinda next month, it is also bracing for a turnaround in its fortunes by reaping the resultant benefits of playing home to such a momentous event.
While the historic moment on April 18 will come and go, the firm foundation for the district’s cross-cutting development is being laid.
With preparations for the event at full throttle, elsewhere around the district, wheels of development are whirling.
A standard pitch with changing rooms, the first of its kind in the area, is being constructed at Murambinda B High School.
The multi-purpose facility will also be available for use for other sporting disciplines.
Murambinda Mission Hospital and other clinics in Buhera are set to be fully equipped to effectively handle any suspected cases of cholera, given the multitudes of people expected to coverage for the event.
Solar-powered boreholes are also being drilled and equipped to ensure adequate supplies of water for domestic, livestock and gardening purposes.
The progress of development sweeping across Buhera is virtually palpable.
Already, an air of both buoyancy and expectancy is permeating the entire district.
Firm foundation
Buhera is one of Manicaland’s rural districts whose economy hinges mainly on farming, although the rains are not as reliable.
However, a new dawn is beckoning on its horizons as it witnesses the ongoing development to its infrastructure in the build-up to the Uhuru commemorations.
The general feeling among communities in the district is that their life will change for the better.
The face of Murambinda and surrounding areas is changing.
The outlook is positive.
“Things will never be the same again for Buhera if what we are presently witnessing is anything to go by. Our infrastructure is being developed. The good thing is that these developments are being done on critical basic facilities like roads and schools, among others. These are fundamental components that benefit the communities,” said Ms Cecelia Maphiri (62).
Speaking during the provincial Independence Day and drug and substance abuse prayer meeting at Murambinda last weekend, Defence Minister, Honourable Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) has plans to establish 1 250 hectares under irrigation, drawing water form Marovanyati Dam.
She said the development will spawn village business units and pipe water schemes.
With abundant and guaranteed water supply, income-generating projects for the people of Buhera will be boosted through establishing orchards and nutrition gardens at schools and around communities.
Crucially, it will supplement the local people’s meagre harvest as Buhera is generally an arid area.
Coupled with increasing household food and nutrition security, this will also significantly enhance communal livelihoods.
Infrastructure development
A quantum leap in infrastructure development is expected to be a huge boon for the district.
It includes basic facilities like roads, water supply and electricity, among others, which are indispensable factors necessary for households, schools, organisations and local communities to function properly.
Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development employees patch up potholes along Nyazura-Chivhu Highway as part of the Independence Day celebrations preparations
Viable production and productivity can also be premised on such infrastructure and utilities.
Overall, it promotes the sustainable economic growth of an area.
Major feeder and access roads in Buhera are receiving refurbishment. Other important amenities like water and sanitation are being worked on.
Electricity in areas that previously had no power is now available, with a high voltage power line and transformer being installed at Murambinda B High School.
In his post-Cabinet meeting brief on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere said infrastructure development in Buhera is progressing well, with civil works underway on access roads and at the main venue.
“Road equipment has been mobilised from road authorities and private sector players to execute works on the civil works at the main venue as well as on the Murambinda-Birchenough Bridge, Chivhu-Nyazura, and Wedza-Mutiweshiri roads. The other roadworks undertaken include the grading of the access roads, the grading of the eight kilometre Murambinda-Marenga junction roads, and the opening of access roads to the helipad.
“The nation is also informed that a total of 22 boreholes, comprising 17 wet holes, have been drilled in Buhera towards preparations for the 2024 Independence Anniversary Celebrations and Children’s Party.
“Furthermore, two boreholes will also be drilled at Interpretive Centres, namely the former Dzapasi (Foxtrot) Assembly Point in Buhera and Castle Camp Kopje Farm (The Butcher) in Rusape. Tree planting is ongoing at the school orchard and also on the general plantation area of three hectares, raising the total of the planted trees to 8 000,” he said.
With roads in Buhera being maintained and upgraded, it will make the district more easily accessible from other parts of the country.
Secretary for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Abiot Maronge, described the ongoing developments in Buhera as a new dawn for the district.
“All the major roads and access roads throughout the district are being worked on and maintained, including the Murambinda-Birchenough Road. This is meant to ensure easy accessibility to the venue of the national Independence Day celebrations. Besides, when roads are trafficable they become highways for the ease of doing business.
“With a standard pitch that includes changing rooms in place, young people in Buhera will have a proper place where they can hone and harness their sporting talent and skills. This will steer them away from the drugs and substance abuse menace,” he said.
Indications that Government is revamping Dorowa Minerals Plant will, not only boost basal fertiliser production, but also create employment for the local people.
Robust measures are being put in place to address all water, sanitation and hygiene aspects of the district to significantly improve health issues.
Mr Maronge said the ongoing developments in Buhera speak to the devolution agenda of leaving no one and no place behind.
Maintenance team working on Murambinda B High School Stadium which will host this year’s Independence Day celebrations. A new turf is now being laid on the pitch
He said the deliberate and sustained efforts on improving infrastructure and enhancing health delivery services find expression in the 14 key pillars of National Development Strategy (NDS1), which underpins the drive towards Vision 2030.
The theme for this year’s Independence Day celebrations is: “Zim@44: Unity, Peace and Development Towards Vision 2030”.
Ms Kuda Sigobhohla said developing infrastructure fuels economic growth and productivity.
She said the quality of life of communities in Buhera will greatly improve, riding on the projects and programmes being implemented.
“Overall, this is good for the commerce of Buhera. These developments to roads, health institutions, and schools will stimulate business activities and bolster productivity. Other properly functioning utilities like water supply and sanitation systems contribute to healthier and more comfortable living conditions. That standard pitch at Murambinda B High School will be a good recreational facility that creates leisure opportunities and fosters social cohesion for the local communities.
“The functionality of such critical infrastructure and systems supports and serves society better. This is a recipe for sustainable development, economic prosperity and improved quality of life for people,” she said.
With a 70 000-strong gathering set to converge on Buhera, accommodation and hospitality players are set to enjoy brisk business.
As Zimbabwe is a friend to all and an enemy to none, delegates from other countries in the region, continent and across the globe will be in attendance.
“There are several places in Buhera that people can visit as tourist attractions. These include Dzapasi Camp, Matendera Monument, Chiurwi and Gombe mountains, Marovanyati and Ruti dams and Save River, among others. While in Buhera, tourists can always cross over to other districts across Manicaland to indulge in other tourism pleasures like Birchenough Bridge, Mutarazi Falls, Bridal Veil, Vumba Forests, Nyanga Mountain and many other historical sites and monuments,” said National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) marketing and public relations officer, Mr Lloyd Makonya.
Buhera can also leverage on hosting the national Independence Day celebrations to promote the unique investment incentives and opportunities the district and province can offer.
About 220 stands will be available for business exhibitors, among them local authorities, corporates, parastatals, higher and tertiary education institutions, small to medium enterprises and churches, to showcase their products and services.
This presents a perfect platform for the exhibitors and other delegates to exchange notes and share experiences, while at the same time identifying the opportunities the province and district offer in different sectors of the economy like agriculture, mining, tourism and manufacturing.
Manicaland is an agricultural province and the occasion can also be exploited to display the produce abundant in the province.
Zanu PF Buhera District Coordinating Committee chairperson, Cde Causemore Chimombe said the party’s legislators and councillors, who all romped to victory in the August 2023 harmonised elections, must take cue from President Mnangagwa and be pro-development.
