San community calls for representation

THE San community in Makhulela Village in Ward 9 in Bulilima District has called on the Government and the private sector to facilitate further developmental projects in the area.

In Matabeleland South Province, the community is found on the outskirts of Bulilima District and in Matabeleland North it is found in the Tsholotsho District.

In an interview recently, Tsoroo-tso San Project Trust Bulilima branch chairperson Mr George Moyo said the San community was not represented within Government structures.

“As a community, we do not have representations in the Government sector. Other marginalised groups like the disabled have representations thus we also need such.

“It is time that the Government includes us in these kind of spaces as that will ensure that meaningful developments are made in our area. The schools here lack adequate infrastructure and we travel long distances to get medical services, among other pressing issues,” said Mr Moyo.

Mr Moyo however, hailed First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa for enabling them to tap into the agriculture sector after she visited the area in 2018 which saw the resuscitation of an irrigation scheme in the area which was established in 1960, but was rendered dysfunctional by years of neglect.

“We are grateful for the support that the First Lady gave us which has seen us shift from our traditional hunting and gathering and focus on agriculture for a living,” said Mr Moyo.

Another villager Mrs Elizabeth Ndlovu (84) said they needed protection from the wildlife surrounding their area.

“The community is largely formed of elderly people and we have nearby game parks which are unfenced and are a danger to the society thus the need to ensure our lives are protected just like every Zimbabwean citizen,” said Mrs Moyo.

Bulilima West MP Cde Dingumuzi Phuthi said he will engage stakeholders to ensure that the San community’s lives are changed for the better.

“As an MP in the ruling party it is part of our mandate to ensure that marginalised communities are given a voice and their voices are heard thus we will work hard to look at the matter as there are also Zimbabweans who should be assisted,” said Cde Phuthi.

Tsholotsho South MP Cde Zenzo Sibanda said, “The San language should also be made known to the general public so as to ensure that they mingle freely with other citizens, thereby creating relationships which will enhance productivity.”

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