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Sikhumbuzo Moyo

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WAR veterans in Bulawayo’s District 11 which covers Nketa and Emganwini suburbs are appealing for US$10 000 to complete the construction of their Freedom Complex in Nketa Six which they want to turn into an income-generating project.

They started building the complex in 2001 and its major objective is to generate income to assist members in their welfare.

Each war veteran in the district has been contributing US$3 on a monthly basis to run their office and pay rentals to the Bulawayo City Council.

Once completed the complex, which has over the years been used for ZANU-PF functions and meetings and acted as a command centre during elections will have a conference hall, offices, kitchen, canteen, lounge and bar. 

There has been little progress in completing the complex due to various challenges. 

The war veterans district has had to depend on members’ monthly contributions which have been stretched too thin to complete the project. 

At the moment only one structure out of the intended three is at roof level.

 It is the one that the liberation fighters want completed so that it can start to generate revenue that will be used to finish off the other two buildings.

In an interview, war veterans district 11 secretary, Cde Janga Chimeri, said the priority now was to finish one building that is already awaiting roofing.

“We are now stuck at roofing level, it needs about US$10 000 to complete and we are struggling as members to raise this money. This is a massive structure and the project will economically transform the lives of the war veterans,” said Cde Chimeri.

The complex had no water until March this year when a fellow ZANU-PF party cadre, Cde Albert Mavunga donated a solar-powered borehole.

 A project committee was then set up to fast track and help fundraise for the completion of the building.

 ZANU-PF Central Committee member Cde Charles Chiponda is the project manager and his mandate is to oversee the project’s completion.

He said completion of the first building has tentatively been set for August this year, before the Heroes Day holiday.

“The idea is that by August when we have our Heroes Day commemorations, all the heroes, heroines and widows should come and meet here and as the project committee we want to make sure that by that time, the place is up and running. It’s a potential money spinner and for that it will be run strictly as a business entity,” said Cde Chiponda.

He said his committee has been meeting various possible funders. – @skhumoyo2000