When many people walk into government offices in Zimbabwe, they expect to be illtreated by stone-faced civil servants who make it appear as if going to work in some form of torture. And so, when the Brick by Brick magazine team recently walked into the government offices in Gwanda, Matabeleland South, they expected to see grumpy-faced workers. However, as our Editor-in-Chief Munyaradzi Huni reports, they met civil servants with a difference.
American industrialist Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, was spot on when he famously said: “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” Indeed, teamwork has the incredible power to increase productivity, job satisfaction and individual performance. The Brick by Brick magazine team recently came face-to-face with civil servants in Matabeleland South who, without any push or supervision, put Ford’s famous statement into action. They effortlessly move forward together as a team in ways that should make the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mata beleland South, Abednico Ncube, sleep soundly. With such friendly, jovial and hardworking foot-soldiers, Ncube must be one of the happiest provincial ministers in the country.
Walking into the reception area, the Brick by Brick magazine was welcomed by the ever-smiling Synodia Muchenga, who made sure everyone felt at home. After the formal introductions, it was time to get down to business: “Thank you for visiting our province. We are grateful that you will be covering our province. There is a lot of development happening in this province. It’s really exciting.
“The minister is in a meeting and I think that meeting will take a bit long. In the meantime, can I call the Deputy Director for Coordination, Sikhangele Ndlovu, to assist you? She knows quite a lot about developmental projects in the province. I am sure while you wait for the minister, she will help you to identify some of the big projects in the province.”
Muchenga was such a breath of fresh air! She offered the Brick by Brick team some water and later called Ndlovu into the office. “This is MaNdlovu, our Deputy Director for Coordination. I am sure she will give you all the infor[1]mation you want about this province. She has been here for many years,” said Muchenga as she handed over the Brick by Brick magazine team to Ndlovu.
Just like Muchenga, Ndlovu was all smiles as she asked the team to follow her to her office. For the first 15 minutes, Ndlovu spoke glowingly about some of the developmental projects in Matabeleland South and her eloquence was just a marvel. “I have given you a broad view of the projects in the province, but let me call the Acting Provincial Director for the Agriculture and Rural Development Services in Matabeleland South, Mkhunjulelwa Ndlovu. We call him MK here,” Ndlovu said.
Soon, we were joined by MK, whose work ethic speaks for itself. “We have no time to waste. We must grab this opportunity with both hands. At least today, you should cover about two projects,” said MK. The efficiency! The self-motivation! And the welcome! Thank you Muchenga. Thank you Ndlovu. Thank you MK.
And just when the Brick by Brick magazine team thought they had gotten the best of Matabeleland South’s refreshing welcome, in came the Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Laticia Dhlamini-Maseko, who gave us a comprehensive account of the province’s major milestones and challenges. Below is a summary of her observations:
“We are a province with seven administrative districts and 10 local authorities. Three of the local authorities are in the urban area.
“On the economic front, we are a cattle province. Cattle are our economic backbone, so it’s not surprising to find an elderly peasant farmer with as many as 100 head of cattle. Once upon a time, Matabeleland South was a leading exporter of beef [before the foot-and-mouth disease put paid to beef exports to the European Union in the 1990s]. Right now, we are scouting for potential investors to resuscitate our beef production. Our beef is so succulent, thanks to the ‘sweet’ grass that grows here. This is no idle boast, but I can safely say our beef is some of the very best in the country, if not the world.
“We are also into crop farming, but we depend mainly on irrigation schemes because of our sparse rainfall. As a result of the erratic rainfall pattern, we are inclined towards drought-resistant crops like legumes, notably beans and cowpeas, etc, as well as traditional grains such as sorghum, rapoko and millet.
“Apart from cattle rearing, Matabeleland South is in the running for the title of Zimbabwe’s citrus capital. The citrus industry boasts four or five big companies with TopPick Investments among the leading pack. TopPick Investments is the brainchild of South Africa-based but Zimbabwe-born indigenous businessman, Marema. As a province, we are very proud of what TopPick Investments is doing.
“As for the Beitbridge Border Post, this is now the pride of Zimbabwe. It would not look out of place in a bustling city like Dubai. In short, it’s hard to believe that Beitbridge Border Post is located in a developing country like Zimbabwe. It’s just a marvel. There is no more congestion and the service is world-class. Its upgrade will help boost trade ties with neighbouring countries.
“On the debit side is that some of our roads are now in bad shape. This is likely to put off potential investors. However, I am happy that His Excellency President Mnangagwa saw the need to rehabilitate our roads through the ongoing Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP). This programme is most welcome. We are excited that the Second Republic is committed to repairing the Beitbridge-Bulawayo Road to complement the excellent work it has done on the Harare-Beitbridge Highway. This is a shining example of a government at work.”
Dhlamini-Maseko also highlighted developments in other sectors of the economy. “The Jinjika project in Mangwe, Makorokoro,” she said, “is a good example of what President Mnangagwa means it when he says ‘We are leaving no one and no place behind’.
Although it’s only 12km away from Botswana border, it was basically bush. But within three months of the commissioning of a nutrition garden, beneficiaries were enjoying the fruits of a horticultural boom. It’s has changed people’s lives beyond our wildest expectations.”
For Dhlamini-Maseko and her dedicated team of foot soldiers, the motto is “all hands on deck” or “shoulder to the wheel”. If civil servants in other provinces could take a leaf from their counterparts in Matabeleland South, the “brick by brick” journey will be complete way before 2030. The Brick by Brick magazine team spoke to several traditional leaders to sound out their views on what’s happening in the province. Said Chief Malaba: “I can safely say that government is doing so much to uplift the lives of our people. We are seeing devolution at work through several developmental projects.
He was full of praise for the Presidential Inputs Support Scheme which he described as a game-changer. Water remained a perennial challenge, though, but the chief was optimistic that this setback was going to be addressed swiftly “because we have a listening President”, he noted, adding: “I used my own personal resources to drill a borehole for my subjects. Unfortunately, the borehole is broken down. It needs be looked at by an electrician. There is need to match the power output from solar system with the water pump.” It looks like everyone in Matabele[1]land South is on cloud nine. Is it any wonder they call it the Rainbow Province?
