Green jobs transform Chimanimani youths
SUCCULENT green vegetation and rolling mountain ranges make Chimanimani a sight to behold.
Myth has it that the area draws humans closer to God and their ancestors.
In 2019, Chimanimani made headlines when one of the worst ever natural disasters to hit Zimbabwe, Tropical Cyclone Idai, struck the mountainous district, leaving a trail of destruction.
Washington Nyakazeya, aged 23, from the Rusitu area was not spared from the cyclone’s devastating effects, but he has picked up the pieces and moved on.
Nyakazeya is one of the youths making Chimanimani evolve as an economic hub for green agricultural development.
He runs a beekeeping enterprise that is flourishing.
“After setting up 10 beehives in 2019, the cyclone came and washed away all of them before I could harvest anything. But I could feel the passion for apiculture within myself, so, after the disaster, I resumed my work. I acquired training in apiculture and my enterprise has grown. I am now working towards commercialising my project,” he said.
In addition to beekeeping, Nyakazeya has gone a step further, as he is involved in value addition by producing wine from the honey he harvests.
“To remove the shackles of poverty, you need to think outside the box. Whenever I am monitoring my beehives, I will be thinking about how I can improve. This is why I decided to start producing the wine. The wine is increasingly becoming popular because of its uniqueness and healing effects.”
On top of producing wine, Nyakazeya also
sells processed organic honey and candles he manufactures from beeswax.
Another youth, Clever Garirofa (33), is also becoming popular in Rusitu for producing organic honey.
He has created his own brand — Golden Harvest Honey.
“Apiculture has transformed my life. Initially, my wife was not interested, but after the first harvest from my 10 hives, she decided to join me. The business is now a family enterprise because even if I am away, my wife can produce for any customers,” said Garirofa.
In Ward 18, under Chief Muusha, youths have united and started a fish farming project.
The group of 18 started through what they called “mukando” by contributing US$1 every month to start the fish project.
After seeing the efforts within the local youths in Chimanimani district, Government — supported by the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), and its implementing partner Towards Sustainable Use of Resources Organisation — brought about capacity-building programmes for the youths.
VSO project manager Mr Simba Guzha said: “Our priority is to empower young people and ensure they have access to better jobs that are green, decent and contribute to environmental and biodiversity conservation.
“Green jobs are jobs that reduce consumption of energy and raw materials, limit greenhouse gas emissions, minimise waste and pollution and protect and restore ecosystems,” he said.
Chelma Machiya (24), one of the youths from Mandidzidze village, said the fish project has transformed her life.
“Before we started this project, many young girls like me were idle and in the end, we lost many to early marriages and some even died while giving birth.
‘‘Personally, I would find it hard to purchase my sanitary wear to the extent that I even had to use cow dung during my menstrual period. However, I now get regular income to cater for my needs.”
Bineloge Nhembo (21), who is also involved in the fish project, said: “Apiculture has brought us something to keep us busy. Youths were abusing drugs, but now everyone is glued to the project.”
He said the group is looking forward to expanding by adding more fishponds.