Staff Reporter
In a bold stride towards rural modernisation, the Government has officially commissioned the SenkwasiVillage Business Unit (VBU) and a solar-powered dip tank in Zhombe’s Senkwasi Village. The dual infrastructure, funded under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), marks a significant milestone in the Second Republic’s drive to industrialise rural communities and improve livelihoods.
The VBU is designed to unlock economic opportunities for locals through agricultural and entrepreneurial ventures, while the solar-powered dip tank aims to stem the devastating impact of January disease, a deadly tick-borne infection that has decimated livestock in the area.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, yesterday,Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, reiterated the Government’s vision of inclusive development.
“This project reflects the New Dispensation’s commitment to bridging the rural-urban divide. Through climate-smart technologies and sustainable infrastructure, we are transforming rural communities into hubs of productivity and empowerment,” he said.
Zhombe legislator, Edmore Samambwa, praised the community’s initiative and the life-saving potential of the dip tank.
“This dip tank is not just infrastructure but it is a lifeline. One of our villagers recently passed away from high blood pressure after losing 37 cattle to January disease. This facility could have prevented such a tragedy,” he said.
The event was also attended by Senator Engineer Daniel Mackenzie Ncube, who applauded the community for embodying the national vision.
“I am proud of the people of Zhombe. You have lived up to the President’s mantra, ‘Nyika inovakwa nevenevayo’—a country is built by its citizens. Today, we celebrate what unity and local leadership can achieve,” he said.
The sentiments were echoed by traditional leaders and local residents. Headman Sikhanya highlighted how the new dip tank would ease burdens faced by farmers.
“We used to travel long distances to dip our cattle. Now it’s right here in our village. This is a major relief. This area is usually dry, and we used to walk long distances to find water. Now we can fetch clean water from the tap and it is a new life for us,” he said.
VBU beneficiary, Maria Ndube, also shared her experience.
“Through the nutritional garden, I am now growing vegetables for sale. I can pay school fees for my children and provide for my family,” she said.
The Senkwasi Village Business Unit is part of the Rural Development 8.0 strategy, a holistic approach to rural industrialisation and value chain integration. Meanwhile, the dip tank directly supports Zimbabwe’s Livestock Recovery and Growth Plan—a vital component of the nation’s agriculture-driven economy.
As Senkwasi reaps the fruits of this development, it stands as a shining example of community-driven progress under the Second Republic’s rural transformation agenda.
