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Another empty deadline for Lake Gwayi-Tshangani from second republic
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The Government of Zimbabwe has expressed confidence that the 650-million-cubic-metre Lake Gwayi-Tshangani, a key infrastructure project in Matabeleland North, will be completed before the next rainy season. Engineers have assured that the dam gates will be closed by October to begin the process of water impoundment, marking a significant milestone in the project's progress.
Dr. Anxious Masuka, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, confirmed that the dam is now 70 percent complete. The Lake Gwayi-Tshangani project is a flagship development under the Second Republic, aligning with the country's Vision 2030 to achieve an upper-middle-income status by the end of the decade.
The project is a multi-dimensional initiative, including the construction of a dam wall, a mini-hydropower station, a 10-hectare irrigation scheme, and a 252-kilometre conveyance pipeline to Bulawayo. Once fully operational, the dam is expected to alleviate Bulawayo's long-standing water shortages, create a greenbelt in Matabeleland North, and boost national food security through the irrigation of 10,000 hectares of farmland.
In addition to addressing water needs, the project is also poised to enhance the region's tourism sector and provide economic benefits to Matabeleland South. The six existing supply dams currently serving Bulawayo in Matabeleland South will be repurposed for irrigation purposes once the new dam is operational, contributing significantly to food security in the province.
Minister Masuka acknowledged the delays in the project, largely due to resource constraints, but assured that the 2025 national budget has allocated ZiG3.1 billion to ensure its completion. "Construction of Lake Gwayi-Tshangani has been at a standstill because we have not been receiving the necessary resources. We are now at 70 percent completion, and with timely funding, we aim to finish by October or November this year. This will be in time for the 2025/2026 rainy season, allowing us to begin closing the gates and impound water," he said during a recent visit to Lubangwe, Hwange.
Dr. Masuka also noted that engineers had advised against closing the dam wall during the current rainy season due to the risk of structural damage caused by excessive water pressure. The dam, designed by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) and constructed by China Water and Electric Corporation, will hold up to 650 million cubic metres of water once completed.
Located 6.5km from the confluence of the Gwayi and Tshangani rivers, the concrete gravity arch dam will serve multiple functions, including a permanent water supply for Bulawayo via the 252km pipeline feeding into a treatment plant in Cowdray Park. It will also include a 10-megawatt hydropower station and the development of 10,000 hectares of irrigated farmland, which will foster rural industrialisation under the Presidential Rural Development Programme.
The pipeline will feature offtakes for 200-hectare irrigation projects along its route, further enhancing food security and creating employment opportunities for local communities. Dr. Masuka emphasized that the project is crucial to achieving Vision 2030's goals, as it will spur development in Binga and Hwange districts, while surrounding schools, clinics, and business centres will benefit from the supply of piped water.
Once operational, Lake Gwayi-Tshangani is exected to permanently resolve Bulawayo's water challenges and transform Matabeleland North into an agricultural and economic hub. Additionally, the Government has implemented measures to prevent flooding along the Gwayi River, ensuring the safety of critical infrastructure such as the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway.
"We are optimistic that with sufficient resources, we will be able to close the dam wall by October and begin impounding water. While we could not close it this year due to the heavy rains, we are confident that this coming season we will be able to move forward and start filling the reservoir," said Dr. Masuka.
The Lake Gwayi-Tshangani project is expected to create numerous employment and development opportunities for local communities, playing a key role in the Second Republic's broader development agenda.
Dr. Anxious Masuka, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, confirmed that the dam is now 70 percent complete. The Lake Gwayi-Tshangani project is a flagship development under the Second Republic, aligning with the country's Vision 2030 to achieve an upper-middle-income status by the end of the decade.
The project is a multi-dimensional initiative, including the construction of a dam wall, a mini-hydropower station, a 10-hectare irrigation scheme, and a 252-kilometre conveyance pipeline to Bulawayo. Once fully operational, the dam is expected to alleviate Bulawayo's long-standing water shortages, create a greenbelt in Matabeleland North, and boost national food security through the irrigation of 10,000 hectares of farmland.
In addition to addressing water needs, the project is also poised to enhance the region's tourism sector and provide economic benefits to Matabeleland South. The six existing supply dams currently serving Bulawayo in Matabeleland South will be repurposed for irrigation purposes once the new dam is operational, contributing significantly to food security in the province.
Minister Masuka acknowledged the delays in the project, largely due to resource constraints, but assured that the 2025 national budget has allocated ZiG3.1 billion to ensure its completion. "Construction of Lake Gwayi-Tshangani has been at a standstill because we have not been receiving the necessary resources. We are now at 70 percent completion, and with timely funding, we aim to finish by October or November this year. This will be in time for the 2025/2026 rainy season, allowing us to begin closing the gates and impound water," he said during a recent visit to Lubangwe, Hwange.
Dr. Masuka also noted that engineers had advised against closing the dam wall during the current rainy season due to the risk of structural damage caused by excessive water pressure. The dam, designed by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) and constructed by China Water and Electric Corporation, will hold up to 650 million cubic metres of water once completed.
The pipeline will feature offtakes for 200-hectare irrigation projects along its route, further enhancing food security and creating employment opportunities for local communities. Dr. Masuka emphasized that the project is crucial to achieving Vision 2030's goals, as it will spur development in Binga and Hwange districts, while surrounding schools, clinics, and business centres will benefit from the supply of piped water.
Once operational, Lake Gwayi-Tshangani is exected to permanently resolve Bulawayo's water challenges and transform Matabeleland North into an agricultural and economic hub. Additionally, the Government has implemented measures to prevent flooding along the Gwayi River, ensuring the safety of critical infrastructure such as the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway.
"We are optimistic that with sufficient resources, we will be able to close the dam wall by October and begin impounding water. While we could not close it this year due to the heavy rains, we are confident that this coming season we will be able to move forward and start filling the reservoir," said Dr. Masuka.
The Lake Gwayi-Tshangani project is expected to create numerous employment and development opportunities for local communities, playing a key role in the Second Republic's broader development agenda.
Source - The Chronicle
