Staff Reporter
Mwenezi District is undergoing significant transformation through Government’s devolution programme, with 34 development projects completed,to improve education, health, transport and service delivery in rural communities.
The projects, funded through the devolution allocation and implemented by the Mwenezi Rural District Council, have brought real change to thousands of villagers across all 18 wards.
Mwenezi District Information Officer in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Rodney Kudzanai, said the impact of the programme was now visible in the daily lives of ordinary people.
“These projects are life-changing. Our children are no longer learning under trees or in old buildings. Our clinics are operational and roads are being improved. These developments are uplifting lives and changing Mwenezi for the better,” he said.
In the education sector, school infrastructure has improved with the completion of classroom blocks at Zvirikure, Chikwalakwala, Mucheni, Marinda, Chengwe, Manyuchi, Maranda, Masvayamwando, Vinga, Mangwerume, Mavambo, Mfula, Chimbi, Gwamarara, Nyangambe Turf, Valley, Muuyu, Bubi and Rushangarumwe Primary Schools. These have created safe and conducive learning spaces for thousands of pupils.
Kudzanai said the construction of teachers’ houses at Zvanaka Secondary and Chisume Primary Schools was also making it easier to attract and retain qualified teachers in rural schools.
“Teachers now have decent accommodation and this encourages them to stay longer in these remote areas, which will help improve learning outcomes,” he added.
In the health sector, Bubye River Ranch Clinic, now fully operational, is serving over 8 000 villagers while Mlelezi Clinic’s waiting mothers’ shelter is benefiting 16 000 women. Petronella Clinic, which is at the final stages of completion, will soon cater for 10 000 residents.
Rumbidzai Matake of Ward 16 said the new clinic was a relief to many.
“We used to walk long distances for treatment. Now health services are close by, especially for expecting mothers and the elderly,” she said.
The district has also seen road rehabilitation and equipment capitalisation, including the acquisition of a grader, tipper truck and fire tender, to boost service delivery.
With these projects, Mwenezi is steadily closing the development gap between rural and urban areas, as devolution continues to bring positive change at grassroots level.
