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Elita Chikwati recently in Gwanda
The Public Works Programme launched by Government in Matabeleland South last week is expected to accelerate rural development and uplift the living standards of communities through the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, schools, clinics, boreholes, small to medium size dams, and irrigation schemes.

The programme is being spearheaded by the District Development Fund under the Office of the President and Cabinet.
DDF has identified 2 471 kilometres of road network throughout the province with employment for 1 280 people.
From these identified projects, works have started on 1 080 km of roads with 502 people already participating.

DDF is also constructing an ECD block at Ngoma Primary School, Gwanda, and has drilled three boreholes at Dendele Irrigation Scheme.

The boreholes are expected to boost irrigation, provide safe water for the community and drinking water for livestock.
Gwanda has been affected by drought, resulting in the drying up of dams, greatly affecting irrigation and supply of water for people and livestock.

Launching the programme on Thursday, Matabeleland South Minister of State Abednico Ncube said the drilling of boreholes in the area will improve water supplies even during the dry times and also ensure production of crops throughout the year, so assuring households of food and nutrition security.

“Boreholes with head works, including livestock water troughs, is a positive addition to our infrastructure,” said Minister Ncube.

The construction of the 18 kilometres Shanyangwe-Ngoma-Sitakeni Road will improve accessibility to Ngoma Village and Dendele irrigation scheme.

The launch of the programme comes at the backdrop of a severe drought which hit Zimbabwe and the region at large.
Zimbabwe has been affected by climate change. Last season a bad drought, especially in the south and west, was declared a national disaster by President Mnangagwa allowing emergency food aid to be bought and distributed. Minister Ncube applauded Government and implementing partners for assisting people with food and cash under the drought relief programme.

DDF provincial engineering technician for Matabeleland South Joseph Dube said a number of locals had been employed under the Public Works Programme.

“We have employed members of the community of between 18-60 years to help in the construction of Dendele Road and construction of the ECD block,” he said.

“Eighty percent of those employed are women and they are performing well. We have drilled boreholes at Dendele Irrigation Scheme to boost irrigation activities.”