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Stanford Chiwanga, [email protected] 

FOR over a decade, 31-year-old Bekezela Dube’s mornings began with a familiar routine — preparing breakfast and bathing water for her family. While she embraced her role as wife and mother to four children, one chore loomed large — the eight-kilometre trek to the Shashane River. There, amid the sandy riverbed, Bekezela would toil to find water, a constant source of dread.

“Being a wife and mother brings me joy, but carrying water shouldn’t be a burden for any woman. That was the story of my life since I got married over ten years ago and before when I was still a girl. Not that I am lazy, but it was not a task that I looked forward to,” said Bekezela Dube.

The story of Bekezela Dube was the story of every woman in Lingwe Village in Matobo District in Matabeleland South. But this all changed in March when the Lingwe piped water scheme was commissioned. Now residents of Lingwe Village in ward 8 no longer have to rely on unsafe water sources thanks to the Enhanced Resilience for Vulnerable Households in Zimbabwe (ERVHIZ) Project. The Government-backed project, co-funded by FAO and Unicef, facilitated the rehabilitation of the Lingwe Pipe Water Scheme and the installation of nine water taps in Lingwe Village. The other partners who contributed to the success of the project are Christian Care Zimbabwe, Sustainable Agriculture Technology (SAT), Nutrition Action Zimbabwe (NAZ) and the European Union.

Martha Banda

Life in Lingwe used to be difficult. Villagers relied on unclean water from the Shashane sand river, which made them sick. Now, thanks to the fixed-up piped water scheme, they have safe water for their homes, farms and health. The project shows how providing clean water, better food and good hygiene practices (WASH) together can make a big difference for rural communities.

A new water pipeline, over 13 kilometres long, provides clean water to 216 households across several villages, including Zamadube, Lingwe and Matshina. This benefits over 1 300 people, including women, men, children and people with disabilities.

The close proximity of the water taps has brought a profound sense of security, especially for women and girls. Previously, fetching water meant venturing far from the village, exposing them to the dangers of muggings and sexual assault. Now, with clean water a stone’s throw away, these fears are a thing of the past.

“Clean water close by means more than just hydration. It means we (women and girls) are now free from the dangers of long journeys. We can finally walk tall with newfound security,” said 45-year-old Martha Banda, a Lingwe villager.

Lingwe Village and the rest of the region receive very little rainfall, making it difficult to access clean groundwater. Previously, villagers relied on the Shashane sand river for water, which exposed them to waterborne diseases.

The ERVHIZ project addressed the challenge by rehabilitating the Lingwe Pipe Water Scheme with a sand abstraction system and a solar-powered water system. This provides clean water not only for homes but also for agriculture and improved nutrition.

“Besides getting clean water, the taps that have been installed have helped to reduce incidents of gender-based violence in many homes because water used to be a source of conflicts. Our husbands, who didn’t have to walk kilometres, did not see the need to conserve the water we had stored at home and that led to arguments,” said Evis Dube (46), one of the ERVHIZ project community leaders. 

The Lingwe dip tank

The ERVHIZ project prioritised the long-term viability of the water scheme by implementing several key measures. To ensure proper management and upkeep of the water source, the project provided training to both water point committees and a dedicated operations and maintenance team. This empowers the community to take ownership of the project and address any challenges that may arise.

Furthermore, fostering a sense of community ownership was a critical aspect of the project. Residents of Lingwe village actively participated in the installation process, building a strong sense of responsibility for the continued success of the water scheme.

Financial sustainability was another key focus. A water levy system was established in March 2024 — every household contributes R10 a month. The system generates funds that are used for ongoing maintenance, ensuring the longevity of the clean water supply.

A dry Shashane river

“We didn’t just build a well, we built a future. By training our community and involving them every step of the way in the, we ensured this clean water will flow for generations to come,” said Dr Shepherd Shumba, the project officer. 

Security measures were also implemented to protect the project’s infrastructure. Fencing and other security features were installed around the solar panels, pumps and tap stands to prevent vandalism and theft. A security guard was also hired to protect the project from thieves.

The District Water and Sanitation team will provide ongoing technical assistance to the community. This ensures that the community has the support they need to maintain the water scheme and continue to enjoy access to clean water.

A NAZ representative said the project has seen the establishment of a nutritional garden that will help the community to take charge of their own health by growing fresh, nutritious food in a sustainable way. 50 beneficiaries have been tasked with running the garden.

The new piped water system has revolutionised the village dip tank, making livestock parasite control much more efficient and effective. Gone are the days of villagers spending entire days filling the tank bucket by bucket. Now, the process is swift and effortless, ensuring timely treatment for cattle.

Lingwe Primary School, a pillar of the community for the past century, has also joined the ranks of beneficiaries. The 100-year-old school, now equipped with clean water thanks to the project, can provide a healthier and more hygienic environment for its 223 students.

Dr Sheperd Shumba

“We are in the process of constructing girl-friendly toilets thanks to the water-piped scheme. We are also setting up taps outside the toilet. Handwashing is important. This project has ensured that our pupils and teachers are safe from many water-borne diseases,” said Ferdinand Namate, the headmaster of Lingwe Primary.

Taungana Ndoro, the Director of Communications and Advocacy in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education said the Lingwe pipe water scheme should be implemented in rural and remote areas. 

“As the ministry we have said each and every one of our 10 700 schools should have fresh water facilities within the premises of the school. This is one such example, water is now accessible within the premises of the school. This is the strategy that we are doing in all our schools in rural and remote areas, we want them to have fresh and clean water within the premises of the school,” said Ndoro. 

Bekezela Dube

Takaendesa Sanangurayi, the Unicef WASH Resilience Capacity Building Consultant said the Lingwe Pipe Water Scheme serves as a model for building resilience in rural communities. By integrating WASH, agriculture and nutrition, the ERVHIZ project has provided a sustainable solution for clean water access and improved health for the Lingwe community.

Regis Makoni, the Christian Care Zimbabwe programmes director said his organisation facilitated the rehabilitation of the Lingwe Pipe Water Scheme.

“No community can survive without water. Water is life. Everything needs it to survive, from plants to animals. As an organisation we could not ignore the cries of the people of Lingwe. But we could not do it alone that is why we teamed with other organisations and the Government to bring the precious liquid to the people of Lingwe,” said Makoni. 

Lingwe village headman, Midas Ndebele (82) thanked the Government and its partners for coming to their rescue.

“This project is a big deal for us, it solves a lot of problems in our community. We now have safe drinking water. We thank the Government, Unicef and all the other partners for giving us our dignity back,” said headman Ndebele.