Villagers raise funds to repair dam
VILLAGERS in Gungwe in Gwanda District have formed a Trust to raise part of the $95 000 needed to repair Gungwe Dam which was washed away by a violent storm during the rainy season.
Gungwe Dam, the biggest in the southern part of Gwanda was one of the eight dams in the area that were destroyed by storms and according to assessment carried out by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority more than $500 000 is needed to repair the dams.
Chairman of the newly formed Gungwe Trust, Mr Mjalifa Mangazha said villagers saw it fit to be proactive than wait for the Government and donors.
“We couldn’t just sit and wait for the Government to do everything for us. As a person who comes from Gungwe, I saw it prudent to be at the forefront so that we raise money to repair the dam. It’s our dam and if we don’t act no one is expected to come and lead us, we have to be seen taking the leading role,” said Mr Mangazha.
He said villagers were fearing that their livestock might face water shortages in the coming months once the rivers dry up.
“Our major fear is for our livestock. Remember we lost a lot of cattle during last year’s drought due to water shortages. If this dam is not repaired soon we are headed for another disaster, which will have ripple effects on the national herd. Our area is predominantly ideal for cattle rearing,” he said.
Mr Mangazha also appealed to donors and people from his area who are based in different towns and diaspora to help with funds to repair the dam.
“I appeal to the young generation from Gungwe to take it upon themselves to help. We have many people from our area who are in the diaspora who can help with money or material. It’s our own heritage and we should help our own parents who are the elderly people and no longer have the means to raise the money,” he said.
Gungwe Dam used to serve about about 10 villages in the area but now some people are already travelling 20 kilometres to Tuli River for water.