Old Gwanda Road works to move 24 graves

A groundbreaking ceremony attended by Government ministers, traditional leaders, and community members has marked the official start of construction work on the Old Gwanda Road. The $110 million Public-Private Partnership project, set to reconstruct the 120km corridor connecting Gwanda to Bulawayo, aims to enhance connectivity, economic prospects, and quality of life for communities along the route.

The project will begin with the relocation of 42 homesteads and 24 graves to make way for the new road. The exhumations and reburials will be carried out in consultation with stakeholders, including the affected communities under the jurisdictions of Chiefs Masuku, Mathe, and Mathema.

Under the plan, families relocated from their homes will receive modern, solar-powered houses as compensation. The project will also relocate eight graves, one community borehole, 15 homesteads, and a kraal in Matobo District; two graves and 15 homesteads in Umzingwane District; and 14 graves, 12 homesteads, a shop, and a bar in Gwanda District.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, held at the site designated for one of the replacement homesteads in Matobo District, Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Dr. Evelyn Ndlovu highlighted the project's alignment with the Government's National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).

"The construction of the 120km tarred road is a critical step toward improving connectivity and economic opportunities within the province. Modern houses in rural areas fulfill NDS1's vision for improved housing delivery and social amenities," said Dr. Ndlovu.

She emphasized that infrastructure used during construction, such as boreholes built every five kilometers along the road, would benefit communities after the project's completion.

"These boreholes will be handed over to local communities, and the company plans to establish dairy, horticulture, and fish farming projects to further empower the people. This project will create numerous job and business opportunities, prioritizing the people living along this corridor," she added.

The Government signed a concession agreement with local contractor Zwane Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd in January, paving the way for the reconstruction effort. Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare Minister Edgar Moyo, who is also the Member of Parliament for Matobo, praised the project as a testament to Zimbabwe's investor-friendly policies.

"This project demonstrates how the Government serves as a facilitator for development, allowing the private sector to lead. Beyond the road itself, this development will boost industries supplying construction materials like cement and quarry stone, creating jobs and sparking local economic growth," said Minister Moyo.

Chief Masuku commended the affected villagers for their willingness to relocate in the interest of development, acknowledging the cultural and emotional difficulty of leaving ancestral lands.

"We thank the people who have agreed to move to make way for this road. It is not easy to leave places of such deep significance, but their sacrifice reflects their commitment to the development that will benefit the entire province," said Chief Masuku.

The Old Gwanda Road project is expected to transform the region by improving access to essential services, fostering business growth, and enabling new economic opportunities.

"The existing gravel road is un-trafficable, especially during the rainy season. This reconstruction will ease the challenges faced by many institutions along this route, improving access to services in Gwanda and Bulawayo," said Dr. Ndlovu.

The ceremony ended on a hopeful note, with leaders reiterating the Government's commitment to infrastructure modernization under the Second Republic and the stewardship of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The project is not just a road but a lifeline for communities, promising a future of progress, development, and enhanced livelihoods.