People in Matabeleland South living in extreme poverty

Lack of economic opportunities and perennial droughts have plunged people in Matabeleland South province into extreme poverty, forcing many to flock to neighbouring countries for a better life.

Tears flow down Mavis Mpofu's cheeks as she shudders to think how her 17-year-old daughter, who dropped out of school last year, is surviving in the border town of Beitbridge where she has since relocated.

Three of her children are already out of school as she can no longer afford to pay for their school fees.

Like Mavis, many villagers in Nkazhe, Gwanda are living in extreme poverty due to the lack of economic opportunities.

"Perennial droughts have worsened the situation as many people here survive on one full meal a day. Resuscitating Bulawayo's industries and funding livestock farmers will help alleviate poverty and hunger in Matabeleland region," noted Chief Mbiko Masuku of Gwanda.

Feeling exclusion from the main stream economy, most youths in Matabeleland South province have relocated to either Botswana or South Africa in search of greener pastures.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe has been urged to prioritise inclusive growth and social well-being of the populace through the adoption of home brewed pro-poor strategies.

Academics and development partners are convinced that structural transformation of the economy will depend on central government commitment to invest in human development, addressing inequalities and boosting agriculture.

While government has made its point clear that reducing poverty in all forms remains a major priority area, academics and other economic partners said there is need for urgency and unity of purpose in pulling marginalised communities out of poverty and delivering on their wider objectives for a better life.

Deputy Dean of Social Studies at the University of Zimbabwe, Dr Albert Makochekanwa challenged the government to walk the talk in improving the social well-being of ordinary citizens.

"The country has some good-looking and proactive polices aimed at reducing poverty and ensuring inclusive growth and what is needed is for us to move away from mere talk and deliver on the expectations. Implementation has been one of the major challenges and it is high time we act," he said.

For the World Bank Country Manager, Dr C.l. Nuamah, Zimbabwe should seriously invest in agriculture and support small holder farmers as the sector remains critical in reducing poverty and ensuring inclusive growth.

"The potential of agriculture is there. The sector is ready for a green revolution, currently there is a strong demand for crops such as rice on the continent and there is need for countries to develop vibrant agriculture as a strategy to promote inclusive growth," he said.

Apart from investing in human development as a strategy in reducing poverty, economist, Dr Ashok Chakravarti believes future economic growth strategies should target the poor directly in order to reduce poverty and ensure inclusive growth.

He said: "There is need for policy measures to facilitate the access to basic social services to the marginalised communities."

The success story of the land reform programme in particular the growth of the tobacco industry and increased participation by small holder farmers is clear testimony that with right economic policies, ordinary people's living standards can be greatly improved.