Construction of the Semwa Dam in Mashonaland Central Province is steadily progressing, bringing renewed hope to communities in Rushinga and Mt Darwin who have long struggled with persistent droughts, erratic rainfall, and low agricultural yields.
The long-awaited project, first conceptualised in the early 2000s, had stalled for years due to lack of funding and logistical challenges. However, under the Second Republic, the government has prioritised the dam as part of its national water infrastructure and food security agenda, with the facility expected to be completed by 2028.
In an interview with the media recently at the site, the Assistant Resident Engineer, Francis Dzenga, confirmed that progress is on track.
“This dam will be able to contain 260,000 megalitres of water. Apart from supplying potable water, it will also support irrigation both upstream and downstream.
“When completed, the Semwa Dam is expected to power agricultural development, improve access to clean water, support fisheries, and open new opportunities for tourism and small-scale industries in the region. More importantly, it will transform Rushinga and Mt Darwin from drought-stricken districts into hubs of agricultural productivity and self-reliance, a clear testament to the government’s commitment to inclusive rural development,” Engineer Dzenga explained.
For many residents, the Semwa Dam represents not only a source of water but also a promise of economic revival. The Ruya River, which runs through the project site, is currently dry, a stark reminder of the region’s water scarcity. Boreholes have been drying up due to a declining water table, leaving villagers to rely on unsafe water sources during the long dry spells.
Villagers like Kurai Mudimu recall the many years of anticipation before construction began.
“From around 2004, we were told there would be a dam to be constructed, but nothing much was happening, it was all talk. In 2018, that is when we started seeing real work being done,” said Mudimu.
For residents such as Melody Mashayamombe, the project is a symbol of long-awaited progress and survival.
“I wish they could increase the speed because we really need the water,” she said, expressing hope that the completion of the dam will transform their community’s fortunes.
Located along the Ruya River in the Masosona communal area, between Maname Mountain in Rushinga and Kungo Mountain in Mt Darwin, the Semwa Dam is designed to be a vital lifeline for the semi-arid region. Once completed, it will have a 72-metre-high wall and hold up to 260,000 megalitres of water enough to irrigate 12,000 hectares of land across the two districts and supply potable water to thousands of households.
The project, funded by the Government of Zimbabwe and implemented by Makomo Resources, has already created employment for more than 280 workers, many of them from local communities. This has boosted local incomes and injected life into the surrounding rural economy.
The construction of Semwa Dam is part of the Second Republic’s broader strategy to ensure food and water security, particularly in drought-prone areas. The government’s focus on building and rehabilitating key water bodies aims to reduce dependence on rain-fed agriculture, strengthen resilience to climate change, and promote irrigation-based farming for sustainable livelihoods.
