Connect with us

Uncategorized

Deka project materials arrive as US$48.1m project takes shape

Published

on

BY BUSINESS REPORTER

Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) has started receiving various materials for the Deka project that will include the construction of a 42 kilometre water pipeline and the treatment of a water treatment plant in Hwange.

Advertisement

The Deka project that is funded through a US$48.1 million loan from India is being implemented alongside the Hwange Unit 7 and 8 expansion project, to augment supply of water at Hwange Power Station.

ZPC’s expansion of the Hwange thermal power station will see the coming on board of the two new units which will add 600 megawatts to the national grid.

The Deka project officially commenced October 1, 2021 and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2023.

Advertisement

“The project scope includes the construction of a new 42 km, 960mm diameter pipeline from Deka High Lift pump station to Hwange Power Station complete with independent cathodic protection, supply of spare pumps and motors, supply of spares for Deka Low lift and High Lift pump stations, new supervisory control and data acquisition system and field instruments, refurbishment of (the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) water treatment plant in Hwange, and provision of three tap off points for supply of raw water to the Deka community,” ZPC said in a statement on Wednesday.

“To this end, the first batch of 3 555 mild steel pipes which is currently being offloaded at the Beira port is expected to arrive in the country on the 8th of  July 2022, while the first consignment of 30 trucks carrying the pipes to Hwange will be cleared at Forbes Border Post this week.

“This is another achievement which is expected to contribute immensely to the key aspirations of the National Development Strategy (NDS1) and Vision 2030, which is targeted to immensely contribute in achieving energy self-sufficiency.

Advertisement

“To date, a total of US$13.7 million has been invested in procuring local goods and services such as surveys, general civil works, inland transportation, pipe laying and jointing, and pipe hydro testing and commissioning, thus, enormously contributing  towards socio – economic development.”

It added: “As part of our corporate social investment initiatives, we are cognisant of the need for access to water in the communities that we operate and to this end, there will be several water outlets along the pipeline for the provision of this basic need.

“Furthermore, we have a deliberate local empowerment strategy where the locals have been given first priority and employed for this and several ongoing projects to ensure that no-one and no place is left behind.

Advertisement

“ZPC is committed to energy self-sufficiency by the year 2030, and would like to thank all stakeholders for their sustained support and commitment in a bid to meet all the targets.”

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

National

Migration on the rise: Matabeleland North tops outbound movement in latest ZimLAC report

Published

on

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINK

Matabeleland North has recorded some of the highest levels of migration in Zimbabwe, with 12.6% of households moving to urban areas and 7.8% leaving the country, according to the 2024–2025 Zimbabwe Livelihoods Assessment Committee (ZimLAC) report.

Advertisement

The figures highlight a growing trend in which families are uprooting in search of work, education, and better living conditions, with the province’s migration rate well above the national averages of 9.9% for rural-to-urban moves and 5.0% for emigration.

For many in Matabeleland North, economic necessity drives these decisions.

“I had to send my son to Bulawayo because there was simply no work here,” said Thabani Ncube, a smallholder farmer in Lupane. “Even piece jobs have dried up. At least in town, he can hustle and maybe support the family.”

Advertisement

The ZimLAC report shows that employment opportunities are the leading reason behind rural-to-urban migration nationally (6.3%). In Matabeleland North, 7.7% cited education as the next big pull factor, followed by new residential land and improved living standards.

Experts warn that while migration can bring relief through remittances, it also risks hollowing out rural communities.

“This trend is a double-edged sword,” explained Dr. Nomalanga Sibanda, a livelihoods researcher in Bulawayo. “Families may benefit from remittances, but local economies lose critical labour and skills. Over time, this weakens resilience in rural districts.”

Advertisement

Other Provinces: Contrasting Patterns

Matabeleland South recorded the highest rate of emigration, with 13.5% of households reporting that members had left the country — nearly triple the national average. Masvingo followed closely, with 16.5% moving to towns and 7.7% leaving for the diaspora.

Meanwhile, Mashonaland Central had the lowest levels of outward movement, with just 4.4% moving to towns and 1.0% emigrating.

Advertisement

Midlands also stood out, with 12.9% shifting to urban areas and 6.2% relocating abroad, driven mainly by job opportunities and schooling.

National Picture

Across Zimbabwe, nearly one in ten households (9.9%) reported rural-to-urban migration, while 5% indicated emigration outside the country. Employment, education, and improved living standards remain the strongest motivators.

Advertisement

For ordinary families, the story is about survival and hope.

“My husband left for South Africa last year,” said Memory Dube of Gwanda, Matabeleland South. “He sends money when he can, but life is tough there too. Still, we rely on that income to buy food and pay school fees.”

ZimLAC, which advises the government through the Food and Nutrition Council (FNC), says the data will guide evidence-based interventions. The report stresses that migration trends are not just statistics, but reflect deeper issues of economic opportunity, resilience, and service delivery across provinces.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

National

Zimbabwe selected for groundbreaking HIV prevention initiative

Published

on

BY STAFF REPORTER 

The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe has announced an exciting development in the fight against HIV: Zimbabwe has been selected as one of the ten countries globally to roll out lenacapavir, a breakthrough in HIV prevention.

Advertisement

“Yes Zimbabwe, it’s happening!” the embassy declared, highlighting the significance of this initiative.

“For decades, we’ve fought to turn the tide against this epidemic, and each day we get closer,” the statement continued. This new treatment represents a pivotal moment in HIV prevention efforts, as it is the first twice-yearly HIV prevention medicine.

The implementation of lenacapavir is made possible through a partnership with U.S.-based Gilead Sciences and the Global Fund. A key finding from a large-scale clinical trial shows that more than 99% of people on lenacapavir remained HIV negative. While this has the potential to save millions of lives, the Embassy emphasized that for Zimbabwe, it represents a major step toward ending new infections.

Advertisement

“But this is more than medicine—it advances us on a pathway to a safer, stronger, and healthier future!” noted the embassy’s announcement.

The initiative particularly focuses on pregnant and breastfeeding women, aiming to protect the next generation. It will also work toward strengthening healthcare systems, empowering Zimbabwe to lead its own fight against HIV. Moreover, the goal of making lenacapavir more affordable and accessible ensures that no one is left behind.

The embassy highlighted, “This is American leadership at its best: driving innovation, and building a world where children, mothers, and communities can thrive.”

Advertisement

As this initiative rolls out, the message is clear: “Together, we’re not just fighting HIV—we’re winning.”

Advertisement
Continue Reading

In the community

Avoid nightime movement and stoning elephants, communities told

Published

on

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

Following a recent spate of human-wildlife conflict incidents, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Tinashe Farawo has urged communities to exercise caution when encountering wild animals.

Advertisement

Farawo emphasized the importance of avoiding confrontations with elephants, particularly when they encroach into community areas. “We would like to urge members of the communities to avoid throwing stones at elephants,” he said. “This action agitates them, leading to attacks on people.”

In addition to avoiding confrontations, Farawo advised community members to minimize movement at night, as this is when wild animals are most active. “We would like to urge communities to avoid moving at night to minimize casualties,” he said.

Farawo’s comments come after a 79-year-old man from Hwange was killed by an elephant yesterday. The incident is still under investigation by rangers. This is the second fatal incident in the area, following the death of another man who was attacked by an elephant while on his way to work in Hwange town several weeks ago.

Advertisement

 

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2022 VicFallsLive. All rights reserved, powered by Advantage