Gwanda crops a near right off as superstition surrounds low rainfall

Villagers and farmers in the Gwanda area say that the continued dry spell in the district has completely wiped off their crops in the fields.

While most parts of the country are enjoying heavy rains Gwanda District had its last rains on new year's eve which has left the crop planted around early November now a complete right off. Several villagers and farmers around the district are already forecasting a poor harvest for this season a far cry from last season's bumper harvest.

While areas like Harare and parts of Manicaland are already complaining of flooding Gwanda has retained its very hot temperatures and dry lands. What is more disappointing to the people of Gwanda is that surrounding districts like Matobo, Umzingwane and Insiza have in the past weeks been receiving a fair amount of rain to keep the crop well while their areas have not had even a drop of rain since the new year.

Mr Magabheni Ndiweni of Matshetsheni Communal lands in Gwanda North was quick to be superstitious on why the area was not receiving rains while the whole country was predominantly getting adequate rains. Ndiweni claimed that the ancestors in the area are sending a complaint to the people of Gwanda by blocking the rains.

"This is a clear message from the gods that there is something we are either not doing as a district or something that we are doing wrong or have done wrong before," said the 80 year old man.

"We urgently need to sit down as elders and our mediums and talk to our ancestors to find out what it is that we have done wrong or needs to be done," he added.

Another villager Mama MaNyathi from Switsha area South of Gwanda echoed Ndiweni's sentiments claiming that the people of Gwanda have lost their culture and are facing the wreath of the ancestors. According to MaNyathi people need to go into the bush and do a traditional cleansing exercise for the rains to come.

"The people of Gwanda know what they need to do for the rains to come but they are ignoring that. There is a lot of innocent blood around the bushes that has not been cleansed and if not appeased the gods will hold the rains," she said blaming the increase in violent crimes in the area for the low rainfall.

An official with the Agriculture Extension Office in Gwanda ruled out the superstitious beliefs assuring the people that the area will be receiving very heavy rains within the next few days.

"Villagers and farmers should not buy into these superstitions and brace themselves for good rains in the next few days. Those whose crop has died must quickly consider replanting as rains will be with us soon," said the officer referring further questioning to his boss who was out of the office.

In a survey around parts of the district some villagers were seen replanting their crop while the pessimistic ones have already given up on the fields. One Clifford Muleya of Garanyemba Village claimed that he had planted over 10kgs of maize seed and loads of manure and fertiliser into the fields and no longer has the money to get the inputs again.

"I have run out of funds to do the field again and have been asking for maize seed from our councillor but to no avail," he claimed. "The free seed is being distributed on partisan basis and some of us known to be opposition are not getting it. The ones who are favoured receive as much seed and fertiliser as they want and sell to us," he furiously added.

Nicholas Nkomo a neighbour to Muleya was seen back in his fields replanting and cultivating the field to resuscitate what is still left of the crop in anticipation of the rains. He however also concurred with his neighbour that maize seed is not being fairly distributed in the area as some people were being left out.

"Its true that not everyone is getting government seed. Some are being left out for reasons known by the councillors and their teams but we help each other as villagers and share the seed with those who would not have received their portion from government" said Nkomo.