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Nqobile Tshili, [email protected]

ACROSS continents, a Zimbabwean in the United Kingdom has forged an ingenious link to his ancestral home. In the remote reaches of Jutshume, Bulilima, Matabeleland South, his family homestead now falls under the watchful eye of a state-of-the-art closed-circuit television (CCTV) system, a digital tether stretching thousands of miles.

Difference Difa Dube, a seasoned computer engineering expert with 24 years of UK residence, has effectively shrunk the vast geographical and temporal divide. By seamlessly integrating the CCTV system with his mobile phone, he maintains an intimate, real-time connection to his rural roots. He can now observe the daily rhythms of his homestead, a silent guardian, ready to alert those within to any hint of impending danger, irrespective of the miles or the time difference.

Difference Difa Ndlovu

Jutshume, situated within Chief Madlambuzi’s jurisdiction, suffers from a lack of reliable telecommunications connectivity, with many residents relying on neighbouring Botswana for services. However, the Government’s decision to license Starlink, a satellite internet service provider, has proved a watershed moment for previously unconnected communities, including Dube’s.

In December of the previous year, Dube installed a CCTV surveillance system at his homestead, attributing the initiative to his exposure to technological advancements in the developed world. A computer engineering graduate, he has always been an advocate for cutting-edge technology. He recalls being the first in his community to introduce a mobile phone.

His modest homestead is now solar-powered, equipped with an electric gate, and features modern amenities typically found in urban environments. During a recent visit to his homestead by the Saturday Chronicle, he readily shared live footage, demonstrating his remote monitoring capabilities.

“They say travel broadens the mind. As we travel and see the lives lived by other people, especially white farmers, that is where I drew my inspiration and mentality on connecting modern devices. I’ve asked myself why we can’t do the same to our rural homes.

“I remember when the mobile phone revolution started, I became the first person from the village to own a mobile phone. It’s also the same thing with solar installation, inverters; I am the one who introduced the gadgets to the community, to the shock of the community. So this is a journey that has taken some time; those who are close to me will understand where I come from with issues of adopting technologies,” Dube said.

(CCTV) system at Dube’s home in Jutshutshume

He said prior to the CCTV installation, he experienced significant property losses, as only workers resided at the homestead. Dube now feels constantly connected, as his CCTV system is linked directly to his mobile phone.
“At some point, I had four wheelbarrows in the homestead, but I lost all of them. No one could account for them. Some people would just trespass and steal as there would be no one at home, but the CCTV has given me confidence, and I’m more settled now.

“Although I’m not at my homestead, to be quite honest, I feel I’m there as well. I’m in control of everything. I can even give directions and monitor the implementation of projects, regardless of the distance. I’m in control of my home, regardless of the distance,” Dube said.

He said that while distance can often lead to feelings of homesickness, he now feels closer than ever to his home, particularly through the internet-connected homestead monitoring. Dube watches and listens to every detail at the homestead. He also revealed that his surveillance system has contributed to the protection of livestock within the community.

“One night, I managed to save a neighbour’s donkey from being attacked by a hyena, as I was able to call the people at home, who were indoors, while the hyena attacked the animal just within the vicinity of my home. So this system is very helpful. The cameras are so advanced and sophisticated, as they can detect sound, and can be connected to Artificial Intelligence applications. They can detect fire as well. The cameras also have a tracking mode, meaning if someone comes in, the camera will follow that individual, and the recording is always 24-hour,” he said.

Dube expressed concern that, while his homestead is connected, the wider community still lacks access to reliable local internet services. He believes this deprives the community of internet-based solutions to their problems.

“There is still a lot that needs to be done, but I have managed to connect using Starlink. We have a stock theft problem, and there is a device to track stock thieves. I designed a device which a cow should swallow and track its movement. It can dictate the boundaries which the animal should cover, and when it exceeds those boundaries, it will alert the farmer. But without the internet connection, it defeats the purpose,” he said.

Dube stressed the numerous advantages of installing home surveillance systems.
“I will encourage my brothers and sisters, as we look at the criminality that occurs within our homes, that we install CCTV. After installing the CCTV, you will see the difference; people will respect your home, knowing that each and every step that they take, you will be watching. This brings peace of mind all the time. We record a lot of break-ins and theft, so CCTV wards off criminals. I will advise those who are capable to try and install CCTVs in their homes, as is done by white farmers in their homes,” said Dube.

Dube’s relative, Rasheed Dube, confirmed that the family is experiencing the benefits of the CCTV system.
“Well, since it was connected, we are recording fewer theft cases at home. The system is ever on, and in case it gets disconnected, he alerts me from his UK base. So generally, this system has increased the security within the home,” said Rasheed.