Staff Reporter

Government has commended war veterans in Mashonaland West Province for leading sector-based business ventures that are bolstering economic empowerment and improving livelihoods.

Embracing the national development mantra, “Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo” which translates to “a nation is built by its own people”, war veterans have entered into horticulture and mining, proving their dedication to building a self-sustaining future for their communities.

During a recent tour of projects, spearheaded by war veterans, in Kadoma, Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs, Senator Monica Mavhunga, expressed admiration for their progress.

“I had the privilege of visiting irrigation projects supported by Old Mutual and Gi-Glow, where solar power is harnessed effectively. This demonstrates the importance of utilizing our abundant natural solar resources. These projects are not only empowering war veterans but also setting a model for economic resilience. The veterans’ dedication to self-reliance aligns with the country’s broader goals of sustainable development and economic self-sufficiency, illustrating the value of local, veteran-led enterprises in building the nation,” Senator Mavhunga said.

One of the standout initiatives has been the installation of solar-powered boreholes to facilitate year-round agricultural production.

Treasurer for the Mashonaland West War Veterans League, Felix Dube highlighted that they have realized that they cannot rely solely on Government support leading them to coordinate to start their own projects.

“So far, we have installed at least 103 boreholes for our comrades, promoting self-sustainability and ensuring we can cultivate throughout the year. This access to water has opened up new opportunities for local horticultural production, empowering veterans to improve food security and create employment,” he said.

The war veterans’ commitment to entrepreneurship does not stop at agriculture.

In a partnership with Rio Tinto, they have also ventured into mining, a sector that traditionally has been male-dominated.

“Mining was formally a men’s field, but now we are actively involved. We have also received financial literacy training from two local banks, which equips us with skills to manage our earnings responsibly for sustainable business growth,” shared a war veteran engaged in mining.

Additionally, the Government’s support for the welfare of veterans has extended to allocating land for farming and granting access to business loans, enabling many to start their own ventures.

This initiative highlights the state’s recognition of veterans’ contributions and aims to secure their well-being beyond their service.

“We are truly appreciative of these efforts. With the allocation of land and the access to loans, we are creating our own economic opportunities,” remarked another veteran.

In the spirit of “Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo”, the war veterans of Mashonaland West are proving that their service to the nation continues, now through their contributions to local industries and community development.

As they invest in sustainable agriculture, mining, and financial education, they demonstrate how grassroots efforts can transform communities and set Zimbabwe on a path to inclusive prosperity.