US$1.2m Investment Creates Jobs in Gokwe South

Gokwe— A US$1.2 million indigenous investment in Gokwe South has created more than 100 jobs during construction and 33 permanent positions, signalling growing private-sector activity in a district traditionally unprefered by major commercial developments.

Speaking during one of the projects' official opening in Gokwe at Hovano Business Centre recently, Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube said the investment by Talkmore Charamba, Kudakwashe Rodrick Sibanda and Sharlene Mponda comprises a filling station and shopping mall at Hovano Business Centre, with the developers also sourcing most of the construction materials locally.

Minister Ncube said the project demonstrated the economic impact that private investment could have on rural communities through employment creation, local procurement and increased access to goods and services.

“Private sector-led investments generate revenue for local authorities, create employment, promote availability of quality and affordable goods and services, and stimulate beautification and infrastructure expansion,” Ncube said.

The project employed more than 100 people directly and indirectly during construction, while 33 permanent workers are now employed at the completed facility, including six fuel attendants from DA Fuel Station.

Ncube said the developers deliberately sourced almost all materials from the greater Gokwe area, allowing money generated by the project to circulate within the local economy.

“Almost all materials used for the project were sourced locally from within the greater Gokwe area, with the objective to make T.C. Filling Station and Shopping Mall a project by the people of Gokwe, for the Gokwe community,” he said.

The investment also comes with a community support programme targeting education, vulnerable households and youth development.

The developers have paid school fees for more than 30 pupils from Tongwe Secondary, Chiumbu Primary, Kasikana Primary, Ganyungu Primary and Mtangi Primary schools.

They are also providing food hampers to elderly people in more than 15 villages in Ward 23 and supporting sporting infrastructure for young people.

Ncube said the emergence of modern commercial infrastructure in Gokwe South could support further business activity, particularly as residential developments are planned around the facility.

The development adds to a growing number of privately funded commercial properties emerging across the Midlands, reflecting increased demand for modern retail and business infrastructure outside the province's main urban centres.

For Gokwe South, the investment could broaden the local commercial base by bringing fuel, retail space and other services closer to communities while creating employment opportunities within the district.