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Some projects being undertaken by community share ownership trusts

Marvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
The Gwanda Community Share Ownership Trust will this year prioritise projects aimed at improving the state of the schools in the district, an official said.
In an interview on Tuesday, the new chairman of the Trust, Chief Mbiko Masuku, of Matshetsheni said the Trust would prioritise projects aimed at improving the education sector.

“As chiefs, we consulted communities on what projects they want us to embark on this year and the concern on the poor state of most of the schools in the district was raised by all communities,” he said.

“Therefore, as the Trust we will attend to issues such as the provision of proper Science laboratories in our schools, furniture, set up libraries as well as improve water accessibility.”

Chief Masuku said the Trust would undertake the projects working hand in glove with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

The poor state of schools in Matabeleland South Province has remained a concern to locals.
Most schools in the district do not have laboratories whereas in some schools lessons are conducted while pupils are seated on the floor.

The problem of water has over the years been a serious challenge facing the district and as a result pupils are forced to travel to school carrying water.

“As the Trustees, we are committed to seeing that lives of the people in Gwanda change for the better. Currently, we have already started the costing for this year’s projects and thereafter we will invite tenders. We are hoping to start our projects soon,” said Chief Masuku.

The Trust budgeted $1,5million for this year’s developmental projects of which each of the five chiefs in the district would have his or her area getting $300 000 for the community projects.

“Of the $300 000, $50 000 will be channelled towards projects meant to empower women and youths,” said Chief Masuku.
He said $20 000 would be used to support women projects while youths would receive $30 000.

Last year the Trust constructed a new clinic in Silikwe, rehabilitated Mapate and Sitezi clinics.
The Trust also rehabilitated two irrigation schemes, Guyu-Chelesa and Makwe.

Chief Masuku said all the projects the Trust embarked on were in line with achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

“Our major thrust is to continue working with the Government to achieve the MDGs through improving areas of education, health and access to water among other issues,” he said.

To improve access to water in the district and throughout Matabeleland South Province, the Trust purchased a borehole drilling rig in India.

“Recently, we had specialists from India who conducted training programmes for the rig operators,” said Chief Masuku.

He encouraged the communities to continue supporting the Trust to ensure that projects embarked on were successful in their agenda of bettering the lives of the people.