Rename Sango Border post, Govt urged
VILLAGERS in Chikombedzi have implored Government to rename Sango Border Post under the ongoing rebranding exercise as part of efforts to breathe new life into the sprawling border post between Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
Sango is the biggest gateway on Zimbabwe’s south-east corridor to Mozambique and the border post has been touted as a potential major cross-border trading hub owing to its location.
The predominantly Shangaan people of Chikombedzi want the border post’s name to be changed because it means nothing to them.
Sango means bush or forest in Shona. The locals have since come up with their preferred choice of names such as Tsilohlela, which is a clan name for the Chauke people who reside in the area.
They also suggested Chikwalakwala, a famous name for an illegal crossing point into Mozambique.
Others want the border post to be named Justin Chauke after eminent freedom fighter and late national hero Cde Justin Chauke, who was among the first Zanla commanders during the liberation struggle and hailed from the area.
Director of the Lowveld-based Center for Community Initiatives and Development Mr Herbert Pikela yesterday said the Sengwe community in Chikombedzi was impressed when Government announced the ongoing rebranding excise.
“We welcome the Government’s rebranding program and in that regard we also suggest that the name of our key trade corridor, Sango be also reviewed,” he said.
“The Tsonga or Shangani community here is not happy with the name Sango and we unanimously agreed with our Chiefs, community leaders and other villagers that the name needs to be changed to suit the culture and language of the Sengwe people.”
Malipati villager, Mr Auspicious Ndlovu also said the name Sango depicted a bushy area devoid of activity saying after the successful demining exercise initiated by the Zimbabwe National Army in the area it was high time the border post was renamed.
“The name Sango depicts an undeveloped area. This surely is no longer the case at Sango Border Post as the Zimbabwe National Army is busy clearing landmines, which were planted by Rhodesian forces in areas surrounding the border post to inhibit human movement and development in the area,” he said.
“Now that landmines are almost cleared what else should stop us from adopting names that have a meaning to the locals and also point to positive aspirations for development in the area?,” asked Mr Ndlovu.
Chiredzi Rural District Council chief executive Mr Isaac Matsilele said that the local authority has been overwhelmed by investors willing to set up shops at Sango.
“We are just waiting for the completion of the demining program in areas surrounding the border post as we intend to undertake massive developmental works,” he said.
“I am quite sure with the level of excitement towards Sango that once the demining exercise is complete we will have a modern gateway into Mozambique,” said Mr Matsilele.
Masvingo Province recently witnessed the renaming of the country’s largest inland dam from Tokwe Mukosi to Tugwi-Mukosi in a move that earned praise from the local people in Chivi.
Chiredzi South Constituency has multiple historical and tourist attraction sites that have been recording low visitors due to poor marketing.
The re-branding exercise is expected to see more tourists flowing into the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park using Sango Border Post with some visiting liberation war shrines such as Gonakudzingwa Restriction Camp, Malipati Safari Area among others.