Hwange villagers set up flea market Chisuma Flea market committee members show Cde Bekithemba Mpofu their project
Chisuma Flea market committee members show Cde Bekithemba Mpofu their project

Chisuma Flea market committee members show Cde Bekithemba Mpofu their project

Leonard Ncube Victoria Falls Reporter
ABOUT 70 villagers from Chisuma in Hwange District have set up a multi-purpose flea-market at Chisuma Business Centre targeting the sale of different products to tourists and locals.
The group met Hwange West MP Bekithemba Mpofu at the weekend and discussed their plans to complete the project before year end.
Project chairperson Lilani Tshuma said: “We started this project seeing that we can sustain ourselves from selling different wares especially clothes. Members pay $5 monthly subscriptions, which we then use to buy building material.”

She said the community was inspired by the government’s economic blue-print, Zim-Asset, and has realised more income could be generated by tapping the tourism market.

“We have a market here because tourists use this road on a daily basis. However, we still need financial assistance to complete the structures so we can start selling our wares,” she added.

Chisuma Flea Market is located along the road to Zambezi River gorges where rafting is done less than 5km away.
The foundation for the structure has been laid and what is left is erecting poles and roofing before it becomes operational.

A local businessman Hezekia Gumbo offered his business stand to the project for the benefit of the community.
“I thought about Zim-Asset that everything we do should be for the good of our community and offered my stand for a salon because what we want is to be self-sustainable,” he said.

Area councillor Dennis Thebe said the project was given the green light by the Hwange Rural District Council after noticing its potential to benefit the community.

“It is important to work together in developmental projects as our wish is to service the whole of Jambezi and Sidobe up to Batoka Gorge.
“We know that the challenge is on funding but let us soldier on,” he said.

Mpofu paid tribute to the villagers for taking the initiative and urged traditional leaders in the area to encourage every villager to take part in developmental projects.

“Let’s all work together because no donor will come and finance us without any notable development.
“Those without money for subscription should show determination and provide labour,” he said.

The project members, 69 women and eight men, are drawn from Sidobe, Kachechete, Vulindlela, Sizinda, Phakama and surrounding villagers under Chief Mvuthu and Chief Shana.

 

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