In the drought-prone expanses of Mberengwa District, a quiet economic revolution is taking root near Masume Shops, where a community-driven Village Business Unit (VBU) is rapidly transforming subsistence farmers into commercial players.

The initiative, which focuses on aggregation, value addition, and market linkages, is pulling dozens of households out of poverty and creating a buffer against the perennial food insecurity that has long defined the region. At the heart of this transformation is the strategic facilitation by the Prevail Group, operating under the mantra of turning rural outposts into sustainable economic hubs.

Godfrey Tipedze, the Prevail Group’s Team Leader for Midlands Province, revealed that the impact near Masume has been nothing short of remarkable. In an interview on the sidelines of a field assessment, Tipedze stated that the unit has successfully shifted the local mindset from handouts to enterprise.

“The figures and the general mood in the community speak for themselves. We are witnessing a paradigm shift where villagers are no longer just looking to the next rainy season to feed themselves, but are actively engaging in the market. Many households are benefiting from the initiative through consistent income streams,” Tipedze said.

The VBU model operates as a central aggregation point where smallholder farmers many of whom cultivate less than a hectare pool their horticultural produce and small grains. The Prevail Group’s intervention provides technical agronomic support, connecting these farmers to formal markets that they could not access individually. Tipedze noted that the proximity to Masume Shops provides a ready logistical advantage, bridging the last mile between producer and consumer.

For years, the area surrounding Masume Shops was characterised by wilting crops and economic despondency, a classic symptom of Zimbabwe’s changing climate patterns. Today, the VBU has introduced water-efficient techniques and drought-resistant crop varieties, feeding a steady supply of tomatoes, onions, and leafy greens into the local value chain.

Tipedze emphasised that the success of the unit is measured not just in tonnage harvested, but also in the social indicators shifting within the community. “When we say households are benefiting, we mean children are consistently going to school because parents can pay fees. We mean rural women are gaining financial autonomy. The income generated here circulates directly back into the local economy at Masume Shops, creating a multiplier effect that did not exist before,” Tipedze explained.

The Midlands Team Leader acknowledged that while liquidity and infrastructure remain hurdles, the Village Business Unit model is scalable. He confirmed that the Prevail Group is leveraging the Masume success story to roll out similar interventions across the province, treating each business unit as a franchise for rural industrialisation.

As the sun sets over the Zvishavane-Mberengwa Road, activity near Masume Shops increases—a bustle of sorting, grading, and loading produce. It is a sight that signals a new dawn for a community long defined by hardship, now redefined by trade.

In a clear demonstration of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s commitment to inclusive governance, the Presidential Borehole Scheme is delivering clean water to communities across the political divide, including areas traditionally considered opposition strongholds. The initiative, which has recently seen a significant rollout in Marondera, underscores the Second Republic’s philosophy of “leaving no one and no place behind.”

Presidential Investment Advisor Dr Paul Tungwarara, who has been at the forefront of championing the President’s grassroots development agenda, stated that the scheme is tangible proof that the ruling party’s approach transcends partisan politics.

Speaking in the context of the scheme’s expansion, Dr Tungwarara emphasised President Mnangagwa’s role as a unifying figure.

“President Mnangagwa is a unifier; he wants people to be united despite our political differences,” Dr Tungwarara said. “Unity is a key component of any meaningful development in the country.”

The drilling programme, which has been met with relief and optimism by residents previously facing acute water shortages, is viewed as a strategic intervention. In Marondera, the provision of reliable boreholes is not only addressing immediate health and sanitation needs but is also being framed as a critical step towards sustainable economic empowerment.

Dr Tungwarara stressed that the time has come for the nation to shift its collective focus from electoral politics to the urgent task of national development, reinforcing calls for a term extension for President Mnangagwa to safeguard the gains of Vision 2030. He argued that incessant campaigning disrupts the economic momentum required for transformation.

“This programme is not about politics; it is about progress. We must stand as a united force, resistant to divisive politics,” Dr Tungwarara asserted, emphasising that the nation’s future depends on stability.

The Presidential Advisor’s message aligns with a broader government narrative that portrays empowerment initiatives as a bridge between policy and the people, ensuring that ordinary citizens actively participate in the country’s revival. The scheme in Marondera is being celebrated locally as proof that the President is a “listening leader” who responds to the struggles of all citizens with direct action rather than rhetoric.

Beyond providing immediate relief, Dr Tungwarara highlighted that this developmental approach is the only viable path to realising an upper-middle-income economy. He called for unified support behind the President’s leadership to ensure that the “positive trajectory” of economic growth is not derailed by political uncertainty.

“We must focus on constructive efforts to move the country forward, rather than engaging in divisive rhetoric,” he said. “We cannot afford to let these distractions derail the progress that has been made.”

Residents in the benefiting Marondera constituencies expressed their appreciation, noting that access to safe water is a fundamental right that transcends political party loyalty. The successful implementation of the scheme in these areas serves to reinforce the government’s message that the fruits of national development are for every citizen, regardless of political affiliation.

By Everisto Zhuwao

The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) Mashonaland West Province has purchased a new percussion set and two bugle trumpets to establish its own musical department. The acquisition aims to end the province’s long-term reliance on hiring outside musical groups for official events.

Commissioner Luke Zondai Makuvire, the officer commanding the province, handed over the new equipment at Chinhoyi Remand Prison on Wednesday. He stated that the arrival of these instruments marks the official start of a programme to build a fully functional provincial band.

“I am directing the band leadership to intensify talent identification and training,” Commissioner Makuvire said. He further urged the band members to work hard to reach the high standards required for national duties.

The province has previously struggled to host official functions without a dedicated military wing. The band in charge, Principal Correctional Officer Cynthia Bangure, explained that they often had to hire groups like the Crocodile Band to perform during events such as Prison Days.

“We aim to be fully operational for all official functions by January 2027,” PCO Bangure said. She noted that while the military wing is still growing, the provincial dance band is already equipped and available for hire by the public to generate income.

The band offers competitive booking rates to help fund provincial operations. PCO Bangure added that ZPCS officers who wish to hire the band for private events receive a 50 per cent discount.

This investment is part of the ZPCS Turnaround Strategy launched on May 15, 2023. This plan encourages the service to run business units, such as catering and construction, alongside its traditional correctional duties. These initiatives help the province remain productive while providing essential services to the community.