How a Bikita village waved goodbye to poverty

Theseus Shambare recently in BIKITA 

HIGH in the mist-kissed mountains of Sungai village, about 150 kilometres southeast of Masvingo, a remarkable transformation is taking place. 

A once barren landscape is now a verdant paradise, thanks to the vision and determination of its people.

“A full belly is the key to a prosperous community,” declared Mr Mativenga Chiwonyere, a respected figure in the village, who is also the presiding officer at Chief Mabika’s traditional court.

“Our ancestors have united us in our quest to conquer hunger and their blessings continue to flow through the generosity of visitors.”

Sungai village stands as an oasis in the arid landscape of agricultural region 4. 

A place where rain is a precious commodity and droughts are a frequent visitor, this community has defied the odds, transforming its environment through unity and ingenuity.

“The rainmaker watches over us,” said Mr Chiwonyere, his voice filled with gratitude.

“He has blessed our land with abundant water to complement the fertile soils. Now, we have gardens filled with crops and we are earning income that has made us wave goodbye to poverty.”

In the past, water scarcity crippled the community, rendering farming and livestock rearing nearly impossible. Crops withered under the relentless sun and animals struggled to survive.

Indeed, extreme vagaries of the weather occur, with droughts and accelerating climate change shocks being experienced often, making life difficult for the rural folk who practise rain-fed agriculture.

Recognising the potential of the small Chamanhokwe River, the villagers embarked on an ambitious project to harness its flow.

“We started this journey in 2017, armed with nothing but our determination and the stones we gathered by hand,” explained Mr Esau Gwande, the asset manager.

“We did not have a tractor, a truck, an animal-drawn cart or even a wheelbarrow.”

The Government’s goal to increase irrigable land to 350 000 hectares (ha) by 2025 aligned perfectly with the community’s aspirations.

Development partners responded to the Government calls, and recognising the potential of the Chamanhokwe project, they stepped in to provide the much-needed support.

With the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and various implementing partners, the project took off. The Government also chipped in with more funds and technical expertise, accelerating construction of a dam.

“Initially, we were constructing just a weir, but with this multi-pronged support, it turned out to be a huge project and today we have a dam,” said Mr Gwande.

This transformative project has significantly improved the lives of the local community. 

The dam now supplies water to a four-hectare garden, utilising the natural gradient of the land for flood irrigation. This garden, cultivated by 35 men, 45 women and 30 youths, has become a source of sustenance and income.

Each member pockets an average of US$300 or more when proceeds are shared. The cooperative has reserved additional funds for routine maintenance and new installations.

The Chamanhokwe Irrigation Scheme is now a source of fresh farm produce like green maize, tomatoes, onions and butternuts.

Villagers also practise aquaculture in their man-made dam after they benefitted from the Presidential Community Fisheries Scheme.

“We received about 5 000 unsexed tilapia fingerlings from the Government. Since 2021, the multiplication has been massive and we frequently harvest,” added Mr Gwande.

Surrounding communities and schools provide lucrative markets for the produce. Some products even sell in areas as far as Masvingo.

Members are now raising money to purchase a small truck to transport produce. They are also planning to instal a solar-powered borehole with inline chlorinators to supply the local community with safe piped water to drink at their doorstep.

“We are incredibly grateful for the Government’s initiatives and the support of our development partners. We have waved goodbye to poverty in this village, thanks to the wisdom of the Government and development partners whom we are working with,” said Ms Dadirai Mazanza. 

Ms Netsai Mathilele added: “Before, we struggled to afford school fees, but now my children are attending Mashoko High School, a decent institution where many learners from our community aspire to go. This project has empowered me as a woman. 

“By working together as a cooperative, we have been able to pool our resources, purchase seeds and other inputs, and maximise on productivity. I dream of expanding our venture into poultry farming, and this initiative has made it possible.”

Mr Vapei Mbaimbai, a village elder, emphasised the importance of preserving the community’s cultural heritage, understanding climate change and fostering unity within rural communities. 

“We must embrace our traditions while adapting to the changing climate,” he said. 

“It is through our ancestors that unity prevails among us so that we can overcome challenges and create a better future.”

USAID country mission director Ms Janean Davis praised the villagers.

“By working together, communities can create, rehabilitate and protect vital resources like watersheds, small dams and nutrition gardens,” she explained. 

 “Through partnerships with CARE International and Catholic Relief Services — Zimbabwe, we provide essential skills training in areas such as financial management, soil conservation and food processing, empowering families to build stronger livelihoods and adapt to future challenges.”

In response to the 2023/2024 summer cropping season being declared a State of Disaster by President Mnangagwa, USAID committed US$39 million to bolster Zimbabwe’s food security.

Chief Mabika’s community is one of the beneficiaries of the collaboration involving CARE International, the World Food Programme and the Catholic Relief Services, where they are implementing two key initiatives — the Food Assistance for
Assets, and the Lean Season Assistance projects.

The Food Assistance for Assets project aligns with the Government’s National Development Strategy 1 and the Agriculture, Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy, aiming to expand irrigated land to 350 000ha by 2025.

Launched in June 2024, the US$8 million project has reached 52 400 individuals in six of Zimbabwe’s most food-insecure districts: Mangwe, Gwanda, Zvishavane, Chiredzi, Kariba and Bikita. 

The project provides essential technical assistance, tools and construction materials to support community-led infrastructure development.

USAID recently launched a US$31 million Lean Season Assistance project at the Chamanhokwe garden, which will deliver food packages to 600 000 food-insecure individuals across five districts from December 2024 to March 2025.

As the sun sets over Sungai village, casting long shadows across the fertile fields, it is clear that the future of this community is bright. 

The once barren landscape, now transformed into a thriving oasis, is a testament to the power of human spirit, community collaboration and international partnerships. 

Just as the rain birds build their nests in anticipation of the rainy season, the people of Chamanhokwe have built a foundation for a prosperous future.