Staff Reporter

Government has delivered a transformative boost to Binga’s fishing communities, providing fishing rigs under a Presidential empowerment scheme that has uplifted traditional leaders, women, and youth in the district.

Situated along the Zambezi River, Binga relies heavily on fishing as a key livelihood activity. Recognizing this, the Second Republic has prioritized empowering communities in the area through targeted interventions like the fishing rigs initiative.

Speaking to the media last Saturday, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka added that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to fulfilling promises.
“These fishing rigs transform subsistence activities into commercial ventures, directly contributing to rural development and economic growth,” he noted.

Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Richard Moyo, hailed the initiative as a step toward achieving Vision 2030.
“This is a timely intervention by the Second Republic under the leadership of His Excellency, President E.D. Mnangagwa. It will significantly improve household incomes and enhance livelihoods, benefiting the local economy.”

Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development, and Vocational Training, Tino Machakaire emphasized the scheme’s impact on young people.
“This is exactly how our President envisions economic empowerment—giving youths the tools they need to thrive,” he said.

Beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the support.
“We want to thank the government for empowering Binga people. This initiative recognizes the importance of fishing to our survival and livelihoods,” they said.

The fishing rigs have not only expanded economic opportunities for Binga’s residents, but have also begun to shift the local economy from survival-based fishing to a profitable, sustainable enterprise. The move is part of broader efforts by the government to empower rural communities and bring the nation closer to its goal of becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.

With this initiative, Binga is turning its natural resources into a catalyst for growth, proving that empowerment at the grassroots level can drive meaningful economic transformation.