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Cde Chimene

Ray Bande Mutare Bureau
MUTASA District Trust has set up a new company, Weavegold, that will exploit gold on claims ceded by Redwing Mine.

The paperwork which is expected to pave way for Weavegold start operations is now at an advanced stage.

There are high hopes of employment creation, especially among youths in the district.

Rampant illegal gold panning in the area is expected to end when Weavegold starts operations.

Speaking at a meeting with members of the Mutasa District Trust on Sunday afternoon at Old Mutare, Minister of State for Manicaland Affairs Cde Mandi Chimene said the trust should be organised and seek professional help to set up a formal entity.

“I do not think it is proper for you to start bickering over modalities that are being worked out so that this initiative comes to fruition. This is an initiative that will be copied by people from other parts of the country but that can only happen if we are organised.

“This is a new-born baby that we cannot expect to start eating porridge just after birth. There has to be processes to be followed and we just have to be patient for these processes to be followed.

“In any case, we should be using this time to organise ourselves and see to it that we have proper mining companies on paper and how we are going to go about it,” she said.

Cde Chimene said of the 288 claims available to the trust, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the army, the local authority and the ruling party will also get a share.

“I am also here to inform you that we have also thought it prudent to accommodate the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the army, the local authority and the ruling party. As our key stakeholders, they will also get a considerable share,” she said.

Cde Chimene said the trust would also have to prioritise the remittance of 10 percent turnover to the development of the community.

Speaking at the same function, Zanu-PF Manicaland secretary for administration Cde Kenneth Saruchera thanked Mutasa District Trust for accommodating the party in the mining initiative.

“We really want to show our appreciation for accommodating us in this initiative,” said Cde Saruchera.

Mutasa District Trust has 600 members drawn from war veterans, traditional leadership, ZILIWACO, Zanu-PF Women and Youth leagues, business community and ZIPEDRA.

Meanwhile, Cde Chimene has urged villagers in Mutasa District to be innovative when it comes to food preservation, production, preparation and processing.

She made the remarks during the provincial launch of Manicaland Food Fair at Pimai Primary School in Honde Valley last Friday.

Cde Chimene and her delegation toured exhibition stands where exhibitors from other districts showcased their innovative ideas of promoting food security through local dried fruits and vegetables.

She said it was high time people diversified food consumption and preservation methods in order to promote sustainability and nutrition security.

“I was impressed during the exhibition because I have seen that people are innovative. That is what is needed to add value to locally produced produce.

“I have noticed that chips can be processed from yams, bananas and sweet potatoes. By being innovative like this, we can reduce the importation of genetically modified foods which are expensive and less nutritious.

“By being innovative and productive as you have showcased, it means one will not waste money buying fancy foods which can be produced locally from our home-grown fruits and vegetables,” she said

Cde Chimene said communities should work hand-in-hand with women who play a critical role in agricultural production for the sustainability of their families.

“The recipes women have come up with can be marketed in the form of recipe books and also bring income, or supply their products to restaurants, hotels and local community markets

“This will help reduce poverty in the province which has turned out to be one of the greatest causes of child marriages and domestic violence. We hope that through food production and value addition activities, we can eradicate such social ills,” she added.