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Bulletin Reporter

The Rural Electrification Fund (REF) has scooped the first prize in the Mining and Engineering category at the just ended 57th edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo. The prestigious award, the first to be won by REF since its inception in 2002, was handed over to the vice chairperson of the Board, Ms Cecilia Chitiyo by the President of Togo, His Excellency Faure Gnassingbe, who official opened the colourful annual event.Energy and Power Development Minister, Dr Samuel Undenge, REF Chief Executive, Engineer Joshua V Mashamba, Matabeleland North Provincial Manager, Lucas M Mkucha and the Fund’s Public Relations and Marketing Executive, Johannes Nyamayedenga were also present at the award presentation ceremony.

Eng Mashamba told the Bulletin reporter soon after the presentation of the award that he was humbled when the Fund was announced as the winner of the first prize in the highly competitive Mining and Engineering category.

He said that the award justified the progress being registered by the Fund in the provision of energy in rural Zimbabwe for economic empowerment and development.

“I am very humbled to see my organisation scooping the first prize ahead of many other organisations. This award is a clear testimony that REF is bringing innovative and practical solutions to energy requirements of our rural communities. I have no doubt this prestigious prize is going to motivate staff members to continue working hard,” he said.

Eng Mashamba paid tribute to the REF Board for the support, motivation and guidance which resulted in the successful implementation of projects in all the rural areas of Zimbabwe.

“It is the support of our Board which is making all the difference. This award is a true reflection of what the Fund is doing in the villages and I am very happy about it,” added Eng J Mashamba.

The Chief Executive paid special recognition to the Office of the Public Relations and Marketing and the ZITF Committee for playing an important role in spearheading and co-ordinating the ZITF exhibition.

The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair is an annual event where both local and international exhibitors gather to showcase their products and services. It is traditionally held in Bulawayo.

The award in the engineering and mining category was introduced in 1979 and won by Supersonic Radio MFG, Co (Pvt) Ltd. Later a number of companies, among them the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), Zimbabwe Iron and Steel Company (ZISCO), Hwange Colliery Company and Net-One, won the coveted award.

The Rural Electrification Fund (REF) is implementing the Single Wire Earth Return (SWER) technology in all the rural provinces of Zimbabwe to innovatively accelerate the rate of providing access to energy to the rural areas of Zimbabwe.

Swer technology is cheap, fast to implement and suitable in rural areas. Unlike the conventional grid systems, the technology uses one wire and fewer transmission poles and other accessories making it cheaper than the three phase systems.

The SWER pilot project was constructed in Mudzi district of Mashonaland East province stretching for 35 kilometres.

All the rural provinces are implementing the technology and in Mashonaland Central province, the SWER technology in Mbire district is complete and will be commissioned by the Minister of Energy and Power Development, Dr Samuel Undenge soon.