After nearly a decade of hardship caused by drought and water scarcity, the people of Gungwe in Gwanda South are celebrating a remarkable turnaround, the full rehabilitation of their long-lost Gungwe Dam. Once destroyed by a violent storm, the dam’s reconstruction has restored hope, boosted food security, and revitalised livelihoods across the community.
For years, villagers endured unimaginable hardship. Their only dam lay in ruins, livestock died in large numbers, nutrition gardens collapsed, and families trekked long distances in search of unreliable water sources. Today, that chapter is over. Thanks to a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) led by the Gwanda Community Share Ownership Trust, the dam has been successfully rebuilt, transforming the social and economic landscape of the area.
Funded through an investment exceeding US$300 000, the project has breathed new life into local agriculture. Irrigation schemes have resumed, fish and horticulture projects are thriving, and the local economy is once again active.
Speaking during a strategic meeting yesterday, Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Omphile Marupi, noted that the project mirrors President Mnangagwa’s inclusive development vision.
“Our President always says no community will be left behind and this is a perfect example. Youths now have fish projects, and the community is thriving through horticulture,” he said.
Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mangaliso Ndlovu, added that the Gungwe Dam rehabilitation represents the tangible fruits of Zimbabwe’s empowerment drive.
“The Gwanda Community Economic Empowerment Trust is a shining example of what the empowerment agenda has achieved under the Second Republic. Since 2013, PPC has contributed over US$2 million towards social and enterprise development projects including this dam, schools, irrigation schemes, and poultry projects,” he said.
Chairperson of the Gwanda Community Share Ownership Trust, Chief Mathema, said the project reflects the enduring success of Zimbabwe’s economic empowerment model introduced under the Second Republic.
“This event is the culmination of collective effort since the launch of Community Share Ownership Schemes. Through these funds, we have built clinics, schools, rehabilitated irrigation schemes, and developed poultry and property projects. Gungwe Dam is another milestone in that journey,” he said.
Contractor Mr Jimmy Goddard praised the strong cooperation between stakeholders, while Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe, hailed the project as a symbol of unity and progress.
“This is a clear demonstration of what we can achieve when we work together. What Gungwe has done will benefit generations to come,” Minister Nguluvhe said.
Villagers say the change has been profound.
“We are grateful to the Government and the Community Ownership Trust that our water problems are gone,” said one villager.
“We are now irrigating, and even our boarding school has water,” added a parent.
“We used to struggle, especially during this time of the year, but now the water is here,” another beneficiary said.
Providing water to more than 3 000 households, Gungwe Dam has become a symbol of resilience, partnership, and transformation proof that when government, communities, and the private sector unite, rural development becomes unstoppable.
