NOT far from the small town of Marondera lies a dark and poor area called Chihota.
Jairos Saunyama
The area epitomses underdevelopment with a poor road network and infrastructure.
But a local businessman Richard Mavhunga, after the national rural electrification campaign was stalled, forked out money from his own pocket and embarked on a developmental project to ensure that all schools in Marondera West have electricity.
Mavhunga, who joined Zesa in 2000 before retiring six years later, has become the talk of the area as his generosity has benefited many people in the area.
“After the rural electrification programme was stalled in this area, I thought it wise to carry on bringing power to schools in Marondera West so that teachers and students can benefit.
“Most schools and people here have no money to connect electricity from the transformers and I thought it wise to use my own funds for the development of the community.
“With rural electrification, communities are empowered to embark on income generating projects, while schools will improve their pass rate.
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“I am an electrician and I also do most of the connections myself,” he said.
Mavhunga, who hails from Kwenhamo village under Chief Nyandoro in Chihota, added that most schools in the area now have electricity. “I am almost through with the project and I believe by mid May all schools will be electrified.
“Schools that have electricity include Chiwizhe, Samuriwo and St David primary schools. Only three schools Rupere, Mutero and Chirenje are yet to get connected, but all is in the pipeline.
“My community is backward in terms of development despite having successful businessmen and I thought it wise to try something good. I hope others will do so in future for the better of Marondera West,” he said.
Apart from the rural electrification project, the Marondera businessman has carried out a number of projects, among them donating school uniforms to child-headed families and other vulnerable children.
“In Marondera West, I have done a number of projects or donated towards various initiatives in all wards. “The projects are done to benefit the people and not a few individuals.”
Villagers from Chihota expressed their gratitude for Mavhunga’s efforts.
“He is doing a lot in our village especially the rural electrification project. He donated rechargeable lights at Chimbwanda Hospital and this will help mothers who would have given birth any time of the day,” said Thandiwe Chironga from Chihota.
Another villager, Lloyd Moyo, echoed the same sentiments.
“Mavhunga has brought life to this community and we are grateful there are people like him who are doing much to develop the community.
“He donated soccer balls and football kits to Bakasa Primary School team before another donation to Bumburai and Chizengeni,” he said.
At Chivake Primary School in Ward 15, Mavhunga supplied electrical materials and also installed electricity at the teachers’ houses. He also installed electricity at Chief Samuriwo’s homestead in Chihota.
