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Mr Bekithemba Mpofu, popularly known by business colleagues as “Zebra”, said his aim was to improve the livelihoods of constituents.

Chronicle caught up with Mr Mpofu at Ndlovu area, Kachechete, where hundreds of people had gathered for a two-day soccer tournament.

He said the tournament was meant to mobilise people to give them a platform to identify the kind of projects that were feasible in their areas.

The tournament, dubbed Bekithemba Mpofu Soccer Tournament, was sponsored by Mr Mpofu to the tune of $12 000.

“We have set aside $50 000 for rehabilitation of boreholes in the whole of Hwange West Constituency. The project involves repairing old and broken down boreholes and drilling new ones in all areas that do not have water.

“The other $50 000 is for starting projects like piggery, chicken rearing, gardening and horticulture because we want people to start using water from the boreholes for self-help projects and to improve livelihoods. We wanted to bring people together through this tournament which will also include netball for women so that they combine efforts on the possible projects,” said Mr Mpofu.

He said some of the projects were already going on especially in Victoria Falls Town but needed capital injection for vibrancy.

“Everything is in place now. We were waiting for people to identify the kind of projects they would want and we hope that after this tournament we will start injecting funds so that the projects kick off. The machinery is already in place as we have Rubicon Construction Company,” said Mr Mpofu.

Hwange West Constituency has five rural wards and covers areas that include Chikandakubi, Kachechete, Jambezi, Matetsi, Nemananga, Sidobe and Victoria Falls urban.

Some of the areas are dry and villagers face critical water shortages a situation worsened by vandalism of reservoirs by wild animals.

Mr Mpofu, whose rural home is in Jambezi in the same constituency, said his aim was to give back  to the community, which was lagging behind in terms of development because of lack of proper leadership.

Mr Gift Mabhena of the MDC-T is the Member of the House of Assembly for the area.

“I am from Jambezi and it is painful to see our people suffering. I have the potential and I am ready to do anything for the development of my area. People have suffered enough and it is now time we ploughed back because we are what we are because of them.”

Mr Mpofu is Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr Obert Mpofu’s nephew and is the assistant director of Khanondo Safaris in the resort town.

Mr Mpofu appealed for unity of purpose among the constituents for development.

“People should unite and work together towards one goal. This is why I came up with the tournament because in sport people play as a team and once they start a project, they would work as a team. Communities have failed to develop because people pull in different directions. We have a progressive minister who hails from this area and that should be an ingredient for development,” said Mr Mpofu.

Addressing the crowd at the tournament, Mr Mpofu said: “This is the time for you to open your eyes and see for yourself. We are here to empower you and it is time that you wake up from your slumber and embrace development.”

Youths from the constituency welcomed the development.

Mr Japhet Ncube, a carpenter who has done work for a number of lodges and hotels in the resort town said youths had plans but were hampered by a lack of funds.

“I work with two other youths who do welding and plumbing but we have always failed to get contracts because we are not registered as a company. With such a capital injection, we will now be able to widen our business and register as a company,” he said.

Zanu-PF youth chairman for Hwange West Constituency, Cde Munetsi Chiduza said already they had about 450 people ready to start projects.

“This tournament is important because it give us a platform to put heads together. Mr Mpofu has given us hope to develop ourselves and after this tournament we will go around the constituency assessing projects now that we have been assured of funding,” he said.

The tournament was attended by Minister Mpofu who was the guest of honour, Victoria Falls Mayor Councillor Nkosilathi Jiyane and Chief Mvuthu of Jambezi, among others.

Dr Mpofu donated 600 bags of maize to chiefs Mvuthu and Shana to be distributed to villagers.