Hwange

CITW Zambezi & IUCN unveil sustainable livestock farm, vocational centre

Published

2 years ago

August 9, 2024

BY JOSEPHINE BESTIC

Children in the Wilderness (CITW) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) are proud to join forces to unveil a pioneering sustainable farming initiative known as the Wilderness Ngamo Livestock Farm and Vocational Centre in Zimbabwe.

Ground was officially broken on July 30, marking the start of this innovative sustainable farming initiative.

Located between the rural communities of Ngamo and Ziga near Wilderness Linkwasha in Hwange National Park, that is a part of the Kavango–Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA), the project aims to leverage the region’s suitability for livestock farming. It seeks to establish a community farm, complete with an abattoir, while also offering opportunities for sustainable agricultural training. By empowering these two communities and their 190 households, the initiative aims to foster a self-sustaining cultivated ecosystem that not only benefits residents and the local economy, but also provides skills training, education, job creation, and ultimately, a good business model to supply Wilderness and other safari camps in the area with staff rations.

“This is a significant milestone for CITW and Wilderness, achieved after years of planning and hope to get it off the ground. Now, thanks to the support and collaborative efforts of our partners at the IUCN, local stakeholders, and the SADC TFCA Financing Facility who funded this initiative, we are thrilled to have secured the necessary funds to bring this remarkable facility to life”, noted Sue Goatley, Wilderness Zambezi Impact Manager.

This endeavour will serve as both a working cattle farm and a training centre for students seeking accredited training. True to our core Impact strategy, it embodies our commitment to fostering positive change within the communities where we operate, offering numerous ongoing empowerment opportunities”, she added.

By establishing an agricultural training centre with boarding facilities, Wilderness and the IUCN aim to accommodate up to 40 school leavers aged 17 to 25, offering a one-year diploma programme accredited by the Ministry of Education. This will provide students with the practical and theoretical farming skills necessary for employment in the agricultural sector. In the event that they are unable to secure formal employment, these skills will also enable them to enhance their subsistence farming practices, thus contributing to community capacity building and empowering the next generation of agrarian leaders.

“We are excited to work with Wilderness on this project for several reasons – firstly, as an opportunity to work with private sector in deploying alternative livelihoods for local communities living near Hwange National Park. Secondly, the high potential for this project to unlock income opportunities for communities through a guaranteed existing value chain in Wilderness camps in this region (for agricultural produce); and finally, the project is not just an opportunity for youth empowerment through training and agricultural enterprises, but also aims to reduce the pressure on the unsustainable harvesting of natural resources. This project is being implemented in the Zimbabwean component of the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA), and we’re confident that it will contribute towards the objectives of this TFCA”, says Kudakwashe Chigodo, Team Leader at the SADC TFCA Financing Facility (IUCN).

The initiative embodies a holistic approach to empowering local farmers through diverse agricultural strategies, including livestock improvement, crop cultivation, training, as well as an abattoir construction. By incorporating viable farming techniques, farmers can enhance resilience to climate change and ensure the long-term productivity of their agricultural systems. Additionally, the project seeks to diversify crop production by cultivating leafy and region-appropriate vegetables, generating additional income through the sale of surplus produce, and enhancing nutrition and food security within the community.

The construction of an abattoir will further contribute to economic development by creating a commercial food source that’s able to supply meat and vegetables back to Wilderness’ regional staff and camps. “In doing so, the project achieves a full and comprehensive cycle, fostering sustainable agricultural practices, bolstering food security, and driving economic development within our partner communities at Ngamo and Ziga.”concluded Goately.

SOURCE: Children in the Wilderness

Hwange

Hwange man sentenced to 18 years for rape of 12-year-old niece

Published

3 days ago

April 7, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A Hwange court has sentenced a 31-year-old man to 18 years in prison for the rape of his 12-year-old niece following a New Year’s Eve assault, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said.

The Hwange Regional Magistrates’ Court handed down the sentence after hearing how the man lured the child to his residence in Dingani Village, Dete, on the 31st of December, last year.

The court heard that at approximately 12:00 hours, the offender used a false pretext to get the victim into his room, instructing her to bring her mother’s mobile phone to help him with a WhatsApp application. Once inside, he forcibly pushed the girl onto a bed and raped her.

Following the assault, the man ordered the child into silence, but the crime was discovered immediately when the girl returned home in tears and narrated the ordeal to her mother. The victim’s family confronted the man and reported the matter to the police, leading to his arrest.

In a statement regarding the conviction, the NPAZ described the case as a profound betrayal of trust within a family unit.

The authority noted that the 18-year term was intended to send a clear message that the law would serve as a shield for our children, particularly against those responsible for their protection [1]. Prosecutors also commended the family for their swift action in reporting the crime to authorities.

Binga

ZPCS reports 104 HIV-positive inmates across Matabeleland North prisons

Published

3 days ago

April 7, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

A total of 104 inmates are living with HIV across eight correctional facilities in Matabeleland North, according to data from the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services.

The figures, which were first reported by the Chronicle, were presented by ZPCS Assistant Principal Correctional Officer Godknows Ncube during a National Aids Council stakeholder meeting in Bulawayo.

Of the inmates recorded as positive, 98 are aged 25 and older, while six are under the age of 25. The affected facilities include Victoria Falls Prison, Hwange Prison, Ntabazinduna Satellite Prison, Anju Farm Prison, Tsholotsho Prison, Lupane Prison, and Binga Prison .

During the most recent quarter, 144 inmates underwent testing for HIV, resulting in one positive diagnosis .

While correctional facilities received 900 male condoms, officials reported that no female condoms were provided. Ncube noted the need to address this gender bias and ensure that female protectors are available for inmates.

The prison service is also facing challenges with medication adherence. Ncube emphasized that there is a high number of defaulters, particularly among younger inmates who were aware of their HIV status before entering the system.

He called for the integration of HIV services with other health programs and stressed the importance of strengthening monitoring and reporting within the prisons. Currently, some facilities in the region are not yet accredited to provide antiretroviral therapy services, highlighting a need for further staff training and equipment

Hwange

Three-year-old girl killed in crocodile attack near Matetsi River Bridge

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A three-year-old girl from Matetsi in Hwange District, Matabeleland North Province, was killed by a crocodile on Tuesday evening while playing near the Matetsi River Bridge along the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Highway.

According to ZBC, the toddler was with her five-year-old brother as their mother, Tariro Tsondzowore, was fishing nearby when the attack occurred. Authorities said the mother had briefly stepped away, leaving the children close to the riverbank, when a crocodile suddenly emerged from the water, struck and dragged the girl into the river.

People who were nearby reportedly attempted to scare the reptile away but were unsuccessful.

The child, who was from Masikili Village under Chief Shana in Hwange District, was taken before help could arrive.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks) rangers responded to the scene and shot one crocodile. Authorities confirmed that partial human remains have since been recovered, while efforts to retrieve additional remains are continuing.

Additional details of the incident were widely shared on social media platforms, where images from the scene show a sombre gathering along the riverbank. In the footage, several community members stand watching as uniformed personnel are seen in the water. A ZimParks vehicle is parked close to the river, while small groups of people look on from the grassy embankment, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

The tragedy has once again brought into focus the growing challenge of human-wildlife conflict in Zimbabwe, particularly in communities located near rivers and wildlife corridors.

Local authorities have urged residents, especially those living near riverbanks, to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant against the dangers posed by crocodiles and other wild animals.

VicFallsLive will continue to follow developments on this story.