BY NOTHANDO DUBE

Daniel Molokele has announced the successful rollout and verification of solar-powered boreholes across several wards in Hwange Central, describing the development as a major boost for communities long affected by water shortages.

In a statement issued Friday, Molokele confirmed that a solar-powered borehole in Ward 5 is now fully operational, bringing relief to residents who have endured prolonged periods without reliable water supplies. Community members reportedly expressed “absolute delight” at the development, citing the borehole as a critical intervention.

The Ward 5 project is part of four boreholes installed under the 2024 Constituency Development Fund (CDF). According to the MP’s office, verification visits conducted on April 17 across Wards 1, 4, 5 and 6 confirmed steady progress.

Ward 4 and Ward 6 boreholes have been operational since February, already serving local populations. In Ward 1, installation is nearly complete, with service expected imminently.

Molokele’s office also revealed that delays in Ward 5 were due to funding shortfalls after CDF allocations were exhausted. The MP personally covered an outstanding US$2 000 to ensure completion.

Meanwhile, Ward 14 remains without a borehole despite being included in the original proposal. Officials acknowledged ongoing water challenges in the area and said efforts are underway to mobilise additional funding to complete the project.

Local leaders, councillors and ward development committees participated in the verification exercise alongside the project contractor, who provided technical assessments at each site.

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

The Nkayi community is preparing to lay to rest the Grade 2 pupil and his neighbor who tragically died in a gas-filled well in Ward 19 last week.

According to Ward 19 Councillor Thubelihle Mabuza Ncube, the young Grade 2 boy is scheduled to be laid to rest today, while the other deceased individual will be buried tomorrow. The community is currently awaiting the arrival of the bodies from the Nkayi regional mortuary. The remains were recently delivered back to the regional mortuary following the completion of postmortem examinations in Bulawayo.

The double fatality occurred when the young student was reportedly lured into a neighbor’s well by an elder to retrieve a bucket in exchange for sweets. The child was quickly overcome by suspected carbon monoxide and a total lack of oxygen. A neighbor who entered the shaft in a desperate rescue attempt also perished after being overwhelmed by the toxic air.

Due to the hazardous conditions within the well, rescuers were unable to enter the shaft and had to use a makeshift wire tool to retrieve the bodies from the surface. Councillor Ncube previously expressed deep distress over the incident, noting that Nkayi is hurting deeply.

While the community mourns, legal proceedings are also in motion. The councillor has indicated that the accused in the matter has been charged by the police. This update follows a series of tragic events in the Nkayi district, including a recent fatal elephant attack in Ward 13.

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

For Obert Dube, a renowned African poet, the stage is no longer just a place for performance; it has become a platform for a massive humanitarian effort aimed at Zimbabwe’s most vulnerable children. Since November, Dube has traversed the rugged terrains of Matabeleland North and South, visiting over 100 schools to provide essential supplies to students who, much like his younger self, are struggling to stay in the classroom.

Obert Dube

Dube, who describes himself as an “African poet… born and bred in Zimbabwe,” has dedicated his career to what he calls a “mission of mercy.” His work focuses on children who are often forced to drop out due to a lack of school fees or basic stationery. “I’m an African poet… a philanthropist engaged in a special mission,” Dube said in a recent interview. “I help vulnerable children… who sometimes fail due to school fees. Some approach me for help with registering for examinations.”

The poet’s motivation is deeply rooted in his own childhood trauma. Raised by a widowed mother who passed away before his final exams, Dube became a “child parent” at a young age. He recalls the humiliation of attending school in borrowed uniforms and the struggle of trying to learn without the most basic tools. “I remember some raised by elderly grandparents… their parents are passed on,” Dube explained, noting that many guardians cannot afford books. “They will spend the rest of the time at school without writing, and that is what is contributing to low pass rates.”

To fund this initiative, Dube allocates 30 percent of his earnings from every performance to purchase stationery and pay school fees. His reach has expanded to districts including Nkayi, Binga, Lupane, and Hwange. While he started alone, his social media presence has attracted global support, including a Zimbabwean-born UK citizen who recently donated football kits for the schools. “This is a different thing collectively that builds helping our own communities,” Dube said.