Lobby Group Calls for New Kasambabezi Province to End Decades of Marginalisation
Zambezi Valley communities in Zimbabwe push for the creation of Kasambabenzi Province, seeking decentralised governance, improved services, and inclusive development. The KPR movement argues the new province could unlock economic potential in tourism, mining and agriculture while addressing long‑standing regional disparities.
Dumisani Ndlovu 
Bulawayo - Communities across Zimbabwe’s Zambezi Valley are mounting a campaign for the creation of a new administrative province, insisting that decades of marginalisation must end.
The Kasambabezi Province Renaissance (KPR) movement is preparing to formally petition government, arguing that provincial status is the only way to close entrenched development gaps.
The proposed Kasambabezi Province would stretch from Chirundu through Nyami Nyami, Victoria Falls, Hwange, Binga, Lupane, parts of Gokwe, and Tsholotsho, a vast corridor along the Zambezi Valley.
Advocates say the region’s immense economic potential has been squandered, with communities left behind in access to healthcare, education and infrastructure.
“We are now at the stage where we are set to formally engage government. This is a structured push informed by the needs and aspirations of our communities,” said KPR Deputy Secretary General, Josphat Dube.
KPR argues that provincial status would decentralise governance, cut the long distances residents travel for basic services and enable targeted development planning.
“Bringing governance closer to the people will significantly improve access and responsiveness,” Dube stressed.
The movement insists that the new province could transform the valley into an economic powerhouse.
Tourism hubs like Victoria Falls and Hwange generate national revenue, yet local communities remain excluded from the benefits.
Mining and agriculture, they argue, could thrive under a provincial framework that prioritises local investment.
Central to the proposal is inclusive governance. Minority groups such as the BaTonga and Nambian-speaking populations have long been sidelined, Dube said, thus KPR is demanding recognition of local languages and cultures in governance and development processes.
While acknowledging the financial and administrative restructuring required, KPR maintains that the long-term gains, equitable resource distribution, improved service delivery and economic growth, far outweigh the costs.
The push comes amid intensifying national debates on devolution and fairness in resource allocation.
Government has yet to respond, but KPR says it is confident that sustained engagement will force action.
