Water Infrastructure to Fuel Gwanda's Agro-Economy and Rural Industry 💧

The newly rehabilitated Gungwe Dam, with an impressive 800,000 (800 megalitres) capacity, was recently officially commissioned by the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Hon. M. N. Ndhlovu. The project, funded by the Gwanda Community Economic Empowerment Trust (CEET) at a cost of US$316,667, is being hailed as a critical asset for advancing rural industrialisation and bolstering food security in the arid Matabeleland South Province.

Minister Ndhlovu underscored the government's view that "a dam is an economy," noting its potential to serve multiple purposes vital to the local populace. Beyond providing water for human consumption to over 3,000 households, the dam's primary economic thrust is in agriculture.

The reliable water source is expected to enable irrigation schemes, significantly enhancing local food security and supporting crucial livestock and fisheries development. This is particularly critical in a region frequently affected by erratic rainfall, making the dam a key component of local climate resilience strategies. The stability in water supply will open up avenues for small-scale enterprises that rely on water as a productive input, from intensive horticulture to aquaculture.

The Gungwe Dam project serves as a concrete example of the success of the rebranded Community Economic Empowerment Trusts (CEETs). The funding was made possible through contributions from companies like PPC Special Community Trust, which has contributed US$2 million to the Gwanda CEET since 2013, and dividends from the Trust’s 10% shareholding in Blanket Mine, which has yielded US$12.6 million to date.

The Minister commended the collaborative partnership between the Government, the extractive industry, and the community. "We are witnessing the tangible benefits of broad-based empowerment, where mining revenues are not only contributing to national GDP, but also directly improving community livelihoods by funding water infrastructure," Ndhlovu stated.

This project aligns with the new policy framework for CEETs, which shifts from a sole focus on an equity model to an economic empowerment model aimed at driving rural industrialisation in each district. This new thrust encourages mining companies to procure inputs from local communities, ensuring active participation in mining value chains and fostering local enterprise development.