Shurugwi South MP in Education and Health Development Projects

By Dumisani Ndlovu

Shurugwi - In the dusty villages of Shurugwi South, hope is rising brick by brick. For years, children trudged more than 10 to 15 kilometers to reach the nearest secondary school, while mothers gave birth in clinics without proper shelters.

Now, a decisive wave of development is sweeping across the constituency, led by its legislator, Hon. Eng. Wilson Mhuri, who has launched an ambitious package of education and health projects under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Every constituency in Zimbabwe was allocated US$50,000 (about ZiG1.35 million ).

In a virtual interview, the legislator explained said every constituency in Zimbabwe was allocated US$50,000.

“I think you have realized that we delayed rushing to implement these projects. First of all, we started by establishing a Constituency Development Fund committee as guided by the Parliamentary Standing Rules and Regulations in terms of how CDF is supposed to be utilized," he said.

The emphasis on transparency is not accidental. The CDF has historically been marked by controversy, with several Members of Parliament arrested in 2012 for failing to account for their allocations.

Few were ever convicted, but the scandals eroded public confidence in the fund.

Hon. Mhuri insists Shurugwi South is determined to do things differently.

The flagship initiative is the construction of two new secondary schools in Kashambe and Zhaugwe North, plus an Early Childhood Development (ECD) block in Reitfontein.

“This will improve access to education for communities like Kashambe and Zhaugwe North, where children previously walked more than 10 to 15 kilometers.

“The projects align with the National Development Strategy 2 and Vision 2030, in which His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa emphasize access to education and health facilities.

"The initiatives support the President’s vision to ensure no one and no place is left behind.” Hon. Mhuri said.

For parents in Kashambe, the new school is more than a building, it is a promise of opportunity.

“Our children have been walking long distances, often arriving tired and late. Some dropped out altogether. This school will change everything,” says one of the local mothers.

In addition to new builds, the constituency is reviving stalled projects liked the roofing at Dorset Clinic Mothers’ Shelter, completing roofing at Zhaugwe South Secondary School and finishing staff houses at Kubatana Secondary School.

Hon. Mhuri insists the sequencing is deliberate. He says the approach balances resource allocation and project completion, ensuring that no project is abandoned midstream.

Local miners and investors are complementing government efforts by constructing a dip tank, building an ECD block in Wash Block and drilling boreholes in Reitfontein.

Their involvement is accelerating development, creating jobs and stimulating local businesses, Eng. Mhuri says.

Residents say the projects are set to transform the constituency’s outlook.

“For years, our children walked long distances and our clinics lacked basic facilities. Now we expect to see change happening before our eyes,” says another community elder in Kashambe.

The CDF has long been controversial. In l2012, MPs including Peter Chanetsa of Hurungwe North, Franco Ndambakuwa of Magunje and Cleopas Machacha of Kariba were arrested for failing to account for their allocations.

Although few convictions followed, the scandals left a lasting scar.

Eng. Mhuri believes transparency and accountability mechanisms restore trust.

The initiatives dovetail with President Mnangagwa’s emphasis on infrastructure growth as a pillar of national development.

“Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2 emphasize access to education and health facilities, and Eng. Mhuri says Shurugwi South’s projects are a practical demonstration of these priorities.

Construction creates jobs, while procurement of materials inject capital into local businesses.

Boreholes and dip tanks, improve water access, supporting agriculture and livelihoods.Asked whether the constituency risks spreading resources too thin across many projects, Hon. Mhuri insisted the approach is strategic.

“The priority was to first complete unfinished projects before starting new ones.

After covering these, the remaining funds are used to initiate new projects to a certain level, encouraging other stakeholders to join and help complete them.” he said.

Local entrepreneurs are optimistic.“When schools are built, schools open nearby, transport operators benefit, and small businesses thrive.

Development in one sector triggers growth in others,” says a trader in Reitfontein.Community members are vocal about the impact.

A teacher in Zhaugwe South says the completion of roofing at the secondary school will finally allow classes to resume in a safe environment.

“We have been teaching under makeshift shelters. I think this project will restore dignity to our work,” she says.

Healthcare workers at Dorset Clinic echo similar sentiments.

“The Mothers’ Shelter was blown off by the wind and has not been repaired for quite some time. Women gave birth in unsafe conditions. Completing this facility will save lives,” says a nurse at the facility.

Villagers say the seamless alignment between constituency initiatives and national objectives demonstrate a government committed to uplifting communities.

Hon. Mhuri says families anticipate long term benefits and the projects dovetail with national development priorities.

He adds that the constituency will continue to balance completing unfinished projects with initiating new ones, hoping that by setting a strong foundation, other stakeholders, private investors, NGOs and community groups will join in to help complete and expand the initiatives.