The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube Post Correspondent
ZIMBABWE Consolidated Diamond Company has stepped up efforts to empower the Chiadzwa community through self-sustaining projects meant to transform the area into an entrepreneurial hub.
The company redesigned its community social responsibility projects from consumptive to entrepreneurship in a bid to capacitate communities.
ZCDC recently commissioned a sewing factory at Chiadzwa to capacitate and enable the community to sustain its livelihoods beyond the lifespan of the diamond mine.
ZCDC has trained 109 beneficiaries who will benefit from the sewing project that will manufacture garments and school uniforms, among others.
ZCDC has also acquired three tractors for tillage and will assist smallholder farmers with input handouts.
Rehabilitation of dip tanks that had been affected by mining operations in the area is also underway under the livestock revitalisation programme.
ZCDC in partnership with the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society recently launched an artificial insemination initiative meant to improve the cattle breed in Manicaland.
They also drilled 15 boreholes to ensure that communities have access to clean and safe water.
Speaking at the handover of Chingome dip tank recently ZCDC human resources and corporate social investment chairman Colonel Esau Chiadzwa, said the rehabilitation was long overdue given that lots of cattle had been affected by mining operations.
“We are changing our approach of funding projects from consumptive to entrepreneurship. This will make them viable and sustainable.
“Some of these projects should go beyond the lifespan of the mine.
“Rehabilitation of dip tanks is critical and will go a long way in controlling tick-borne diseases that affect cattle. We will capacitate communities and ensure they do self-sustaining projects,” said Col Chiadzwa.
ZCDC public relations and community development manager Mr Sugar Chagonda said the new approach will certainly bear fruit.
“We are happy with the approach as we make sure communities benefit from these projects.
“ZCDC is a responsive and responsible state mining company that invests a lot of money in community development,” he said.
