HARARE, Dec.8 (NewsDay Live) – Former Wedza South opposition candidate Valentine Zinhumwe says improving access to information and practical skills is central to unlocking the economic potential of Zimbabwe’s villages.
Zinhumwe, who has launched a drive to “grow the village economy,” believes rural communities remain stuck on the margins despite abundant land and natural resources. His plan centres on setting up information hubs equipped with computers and internet access to help villagers learn new ways to utilise what they already have.
“Politicians must invest in projects that sustain people in the long run and turn villages into economic zones,” he said. “If people have knowledge, they can use the land and resources available to them instead of waiting for handouts.”
Zinhumwe is working with unnamed development partners to establish digital learning centres aimed at improving value addition and boosting productivity in Wedza. He says too many rural resources are transported to cities, with little benefit returning to the source communities.
His ongoing projects include borehole drilling to support year-round farming and a broiler initiative involving 10 groups raising 200 birds each. He says his development work predates his entry into politics.
“It’s not that I am loaded, but I want to share the little I have with the community I grew up in,” he said. “Empowerment means having many ‘big men’ in the room, not just one.”
Zinhumwe acknowledges that political polarisation remains a barrier to participation, with some villagers hesitant to join his programmes.
“People fear victimisation because I’m from the opposition,” he said. “But politics should be like church—we may belong to different denominations, but we pursue one goal. At the end of the day, we all want what’s best for the country.”
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