ABOUT a few kilometres from Kazangarare Business Centre in Hurungwe district, one would think he or she is in another world.
The detachment from the real world is now defined by underdevelopment.
All mobile networks disappear while the roads become narrow.
According to the youthful local traditional leader, the bad state of the road network in this part of the country is a sign of neglect.
But as one moves further, dodging dangerous escarpments, there seems to be hope.
Here lies Dete, a community in the mountainous area in Hurungwe North.
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Today, the community boasts a solar-powered mini-grid that has transformed its life in one way or another.
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in conjunction with the UNDP installed a 120kW solar power system that has lit up the area.
“We have been remembered here. This is a positive development for the people of this area,” Chief Kazangarare said during the commissioning of the solar power project.
Due to power availability, most community members now communicate on social media platforms thanks to the high speed internet installed by the UNDP to break the communication barrier in this area.
The solar system powers 33 shops at Dete Business Centre, two schools, a clinic, street lights at the business Centre, a church, two community boreholes and four villages.
“I was happy to hear the secondary school head saying they are no longer travelling to Karoi to do basic things, especially for the Zimsec [Zimbabwe School Examinations Council] examination process, they now do it here because of power availability,” said Energy and Power Development minister July Moyo, who officially commissioned the solar power project on Thursday.
Moyo, who was accompanied by Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister, Marian Chombo, added that the government is aiming to power every rural school by 2028.
“This is our objective, to electrify each and every rural school by 2028. It is achievable.”
The project gobbled about US$340 000.
Addressing the gathering, Tafadzwa Muvingwi, UNDP’s head of governance and peace building, who was standing in for UNDP resident representative Ayodele Odusola, said energy is a key enabler to development.
“We cannot speak about modern development, industrialisation or poverty eradication without talking about energy,” she said.
“Energy is not just a standalone goal under SDG 7. It is the backbone of all development and a critical lever for decarbonisation and climate mitigation.
“Globally, approximately 675 million people still live completely in the dark. Here at home, Zimbabwe’s 2022 Population and Housing Census brought to light a significant milestone: 62% of the population now has access to electricity, a combination of 33,7% on-grid and 28,3% offgrid systems.”
Added Muvingwi: “However, the most sobering statistic is the urban-rural disparity.
“While electricity has reached 83% of our urban households, rural electrification remains critically low at just around 20%.
“This means 80% of our rural population still lacks access to modern electricity.
“Expanding access to renewable energy systems such as solar mini-grids is therefore essential—not only to power development, but to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, avoid carbon-intensive pathways, and advance a just energy transition.”
According to REA projects director Lucas Mukucha, the parastatal has so far electrified 107 primary schools, 69 secondary schools, 17 rural health centres, all chiefs’ homesteads, 30 business centres, 27 small-scale farms and 40 villages in Hurungwe district.
“In total, 253 institutions have been electrified in the district. A number of projects are currently underway” he said.
Today, Tobias Chirunga, a villager, is a happy man that his area is now lit.
He is happy that bottle stores at Dete are now selling his favourite chilled lager beer.