Mnangagwa to lead Old Gwanda Road groundbreaking ceremony

Zwane Enterprise, the investor behind the ambitious upgrading of Old Gwanda Road, has partnered with eight companies to execute the 120km road construction project, which is set to cost approximately US$150 million. The project, which will include road furniture and the construction of new homesteads for affected families, is slated to begin with a groundbreaking ceremony in two weeks, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa expected to grace the occasion.

The upgrade of Old Gwanda Road is a major infrastructural undertaking, and part of the funds will go towards the relocation of 42 homesteads and 24 graves to accommodate the road's construction. The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development signed a concession agreement with Zwane Enterprise last month, officially greenlighting the project.

Before commencing work on the site, Zwane Enterprise organized a traditional ceremony and a church service along the road's route. Vice President Kembo Mohadi led the traditional ceremony in Dula, Umzingwane District, in line with local customs. The spiritual event will continue with a Christian service at Matopo Mission's Brethren in Christ Church tomorrow, which will be led by Vice President Mohadi.

Zwane Enterprise Executive Engineer, Bekithemba Mbambo, outlined the next steps following the spiritual ceremonies, with the groundbreaking event scheduled for March 12. "On March 12, we are going to have the big one, the groundbreaking ceremony where the President is expected to grace us as the guest of honor," said Mbambo. "We plan to start construction soon after the ceremony and aim to complete most of the road this year. The project timeline is set at 18 months, but the rainy season will influence when we can start full-scale construction."

Mbambo emphasized that roadwork will be suspended during the rainy season, as is standard for road construction in the country. The project will involve a multi-company approach, similar to the Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu Highway development, to ensure the road is completed in the shortest time possible. Seven companies will work on the main road, with each contractor handling an average of 20 kilometers, while one company will focus on rehabilitating feeder roads.

"We are finalizing contracts with the contractors, and at the moment, it's almost confirmed who we will be working with. Most contractors will be responsible for about 20 kilometers of roadwork, but two companies will work on a stretch of 20 kilometers due to the need for a partner to handle surfacing," explained Mbambo.

Zwane Enterprise is committed to ensuring high-quality construction and rigorous quality assurance processes. "We don't want to do a poor-quality road that will cost us in maintenance," Mbambo said. "Contractors will be paid in stages, and if a stage does not meet the required standards, we will withhold payment. Additionally, a performance guarantee clause is included in the contract, and an independent engineer appointed by the Ministry of Transport will oversee quality control."

Mbambo assured the public that the project would meet the highest standards. "We are confident that we will produce a quality concrete asphalt road. This rehabilitation is a monumental project, the first of its kind in Zimbabwe, where a private company is taking the lead in upgrading a road from a dead end to a highway while also managing it for a 25-year period, depending on the payback terms," he said.

The Old Gwanda Road upgrade is expected to boost local economic development and unlock the tourism potential in Matabeleland South, creating opportunities for growth and better connectivity in the region. The project is seen as a major step forward in Zimbabwe's road infrastructure development and promises significant benefits for the communities along the route.