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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Chronicle Reporter

WOMEN in Gwanda Town have received chicks under a chicken rearing project being implemented under the Zanu-PF empowerment programme.

The project is one of many projects which are set to be rolled out by the party in the town as it seeks to develop communities.

The chicken rearing project is set to benefit 200 women in Ward 7 in Gwanda Town.

So far 100 women have benefited.

The women who are in groups of 10 have received 100 chicks each bringing the total number of chicks that have been distributed to 1 000.

A total of 2 000 chicks will be distributed.

The first batch was distributed about a month ago.

The beneficiaries have also received training on chicken rearing.

Once their chickens are ready for sale they will be assisted with markets.

Government under the Zanu-PF leadership has made significant efforts to empower communities through implementation of various projects as the country moves towards attaining Vision 2030.

President Mnangagwa has said no community and person shall be left behind.

Sikhalazile Mahlangu from Ward 7 said the chicken rearing project will go a long way in reviving her source of livelihood which was affected by the Covid-19.

“I was operating as a vendor but my business was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

I used up all the savings I had during the prolonged lockdown when our operations were suspended.

From that time, I have never managed to recover.

I have been selling a few items here and there but nothing has materialised.

With this project I will now have a reliable source of livelihood.

I would like to thank President Mnangagwa and our aspiring Zanu-PF candidate for our ward Mr Mathuthu for ensuring that we get these chickens,” she said.

Another beneficiary Ms Ajila Shalazi said the chicken rearing project was ideal for her as she could no longer perform menial jobs for a living due to old age.

Ms Siboniso Phiri, who is a member of Siyazenzela Group, said they were looking forward to making the project a success.

She said they have received valuable information on how to nurse chickens.

Ms Phiri said they have been greatly empowered as women.

She said their chickens were four weeks old.

“I would like to thank the Zanu-PF party for this noble gesture.

They have given us a treasure that will last us long.

Through these chickens we will be able to put food on the table and send our children to school.

As a group we look forward to the day when we will sell our first batch.

We will do all in our effort to make this project a success,” she said.

Zanu-PF Ward 7 candidate, Cde Thembani Mathuthu said the purpose of the project was to ensure that women were self-sufficient.

Cde Mathuthu who initiated the project said he had noticed that a number of households were being manned by single mothers.

“I noticed that a lot of households are being managed by women so that’s why I decided to introduce this project.

I engaged the party leadership which approved the project.

So far we have distributed 1 000 chickens to 10 groups of women and we are expecting 1 000 more which will benefit 10 other groups which will bring the total number of beneficiaries to 200 women.

We will also assist these women with markets so that they can supply chickens in bulk,” he said.

Zanu-PF Gwanda District Co-ordinating Committee chairperson Cde David Linda said the project was part of efforts by the Zanu-PF led Government to fulfil its promises to the electorate.

He said in preparation for the 2023 elections all candidates under the Zanu-PF banner had a task to initiate development project in their areas before they assumed office.

Cde Linda said there were a lot developmental gaps that have remained under the opposition led councils and Zanu-PF party was trying to cover these gaps.

“There are a lot of gaps in Gwanda when it comes to development and as a party were are trying to close them.

For example, in Ward 7 there are no road and residents are facing challenges in accessing water.

We are now coming in to cover this gap.

This chicken rearing project is also a way of closing this gap.

This is just the beginning as we will roll out various livelihoods’ programmes in the district,” he said.

— @DubeMatutu