There was a time, a few months ago actually, when some war veterans and villagers in Chihungume, Triangle, were engaged in violent clashes with police as they resisted relocation from their ancestral home. The violent clashes were precipitated by the allocation of part of their homeland to Redoak Corporation, an indigenous company with interests in sugarcane industry.
As usual, the country’s enemies did their best to fan the flames by name-dropping and spreading lies that the new investors wanted to venture into mining. For months, the situation at Chihungume remained tense and unpredictable. However, as our reporter, Elias Chakanyuka, recently discovered all is well that ends well. Redoak Corporation has moved into the area with massive equipment that is set to transform Triangle into one of the biggest sugarcane estates in the country. Is it any wonder that even the country’s fiercest critics have been forced to eat humble pie?
During a brief stopover in Triangle, Brick by Brick managed to pin down the Chihungume Sugarcane Estate projects manager, Dennis Kwande, to a short interview. Clearly, Kwande is still suffering from the shock of what he went through. “You guys don’t know what happened here. I almost got killed. The situation was that bad,” he began his harrowing tale of survival in the midst of adversity, if not outright hostility.
“There was bad blood with regard to the ownership of this land and so during the first days, we had running battles with people who had settled themselves on this land. They claimed that the land belonged to them but after some time, an agreement was reached and the people left. A few remained behind while awaiting their turn to be relocated, which the authorities are currently seized with.
“Even though the situation has calmed down now, I never thought this day of peace and tranquillity would be something I would live to see. To say I am a relieved man is an understatement, and even as I say this, I know you will not understand what I went through.”
True, the Brick by Brick magazine team was not anywhere near Chihungume when Kwande nearly met his Creator, but we were there a few weeks ago. It was during our brief sojourn that we came face-to-face with developments which proved beyond any reasonable doubt that Redoak Corporation is committed to transforming Triangle into Zimbabwe’s sugarcane capital. The investment that the corporation is pouring into the sprawling Chihungume Estates is mind-boggling, to say the least.
On paper, Chihungume Estates is known as Lot 16 of Nuanetsi Ranch. According to Kwande, the estate occupies no less than 5 800 hectares of land of which “only 1 150 hectares” have been cleared so far. “When we moved to this area, this was virgin land. We started clearing this land in January 2022,” says Kwande gesturing into the distance.
Giving a brief update on developments at the estate so far, Kwande said: “We are clearing the land in accordance with the number of pivots we have acquired. So far we have mounted 20 centre pivots, although the area we have cleared can accommodate 27 such pivots. The biggest one covers 65 hectares while the smallest is a 12-hectare pivot.
“We also have 50-hectare pivots, 42-hectare pivots, 35-hectare pivots, 30-hectare pivots, 26-hectare pivots. All said and done, this estate can accommodate as many as 80 centre pivots. We have already laid the 2,4 km main pipeline from Mutirikwi River. The overnight storage dam is already under construction. From the dam, water will be distributed to the centre pivots. Because of the size of the project, we are going to have two dams.
“If everything goes according to plan, we expect to complete construction of the dam and laying pipes to the pivots by April so that we can start preparing the land for planting.
“At the moment, our staff complement is low because our equipment is highly mechanised. We have seven excavators that on average need 14 operators, who work on shift basis. We also have a grader, front-end loader and several tractors. So the few people employed here for now are those operating these machines. Of course, we have general hands whose job is to burn the trees that have been cut down during land clearing. The more trees we are going to burn, the more general hands we will employ. At full swing, we expect to employ more than 100 people [for tree burning purposes alone].
“On completion, this is going to be one of the biggest sugarcane estates in the country with the potential to create thousands of jobs.”
However, vandalism was a major challenge, Kwande opined. “We have lost electricity cables and part of our fence to thieves, but we are slowly getting on top of the situation. Unfortunately, most of the people here don’t appreciate the immense benefits of this estate. Their lives will soon be transformed in ways never seen before.”
Despite the challenges, Kwande is optimistic that Chihungume Estates will contribute significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“We don’t want to make a lot of noise as we are setting up the equipment here, but I can assure you that this project will put Triangle and Chiredzi on the national map. Once it is up and running, this project will have a significant impact on Zimbabwe’s GDP.
“We are going to regain our status as the Breadbasket of Africa. Zimbabwe will soon surprise the world. Everything is falling into place. Just watch the space. For Zimbabweans, patience is the password,” said the buoyant Kwande.
The principal administrative officer, who is also the assistant district development coordinator for Chiredzi District, Gift Mutsukele, described the developments at Chihungume Estates as unparalleled.
“As you can see, Redoak Corporation is clearing the land and laying the pipes for the irrigation system. This is a massive project. This is an estate in the true sense of the word. It’s actually mind-numbing what they are trying to achieve. There is no doubt that this project, when it goes into full swing, will contribute significantly to the district, province and ultimately to the country’s GDP.
“I am pleased to say that as a country we are becoming more mechanised in our agricultural methods. We are beginning to appreciate the use of technology. We thank the Second Republic for spearheading this growing shift to mechanisation. With this technology we are now utilising our scarce water resources more efficiently.
“We hope this will lead to the massive industrialisation of the Lowveld. I foresee many people being employed here. Redoak Corporation is building our country, brick by brick, in a big way. It’s clear now that nyika yava kuvakwa nevene vayo. This is one of the biggest projects in the district in terms of both area and technology.
“In this region we normally don’t have good rains but the soil is very fertile. So irrigation is the way to go. The place is also good for animal husbandry.
“As a district, we are really excited. The upper middle income society will soon be a reality. Redoak Corporation is making Triangle and Chiredzi even sweeter with this massive sugarcane project. I think even those who were trying to fight this project have been silenced. You can only admire and appreciate this,” said Mutsukele.
It’s no exaggeration to say Triangle and Chiredzi dzadirwa sugar yakawanda! Nyika yava kutapira!
