By Patience Gondo
THE Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe has asked why local businessmen failed to apply for opportunities in construction, supplies, transport and several other services provided by their province.
Government is in what is called Legacy Projects, embarking on millions of dollars worth of construction across the province, this year’s host of the national 46th Independence celebrations.
The large scale infrastructure projects involving at least 15 major contractors has created between 1000 and 2000 jobs, with about 80 percent of the workforce drawn from local communities.
Speaking at a function hosted by the Apostolic Church Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) on Sunday, Nguluvhe said authorities were forced to source concrete suppliers from outside the district after locals did not take up advertised tenders.
“We advertised tenders, but local contractors did not come forward. In the end, we had to look for concrete suppliers from outside Beitbridge,” he said.
His remarks come at a time when Matabeleland South is experiencing a construction boom driven by preparations for Zimbabwe’s 46th Independence Day celebrations set for April 18, 2026 at Maphisa Growth Point.
Key projects include the rehabilitation of the Bulawayo–Maphisa and Gwanda–Maphisa roads, construction of Maphisa Stadium, upgrades at Maphisa Hospital, the renovation of Mahetshe Primary School as well as the installation of network base stations and solarised boreholes.
Beyond employment, the developments have also boosted local businesses supplying goods and services, creating a ripple effect across the provincial economy.
However, Nguluvhe said contractors in Beitbridge risked missing out on such benefits due to lack of initiative.
“There are clear opportunities in sectors like concrete supply, but locals are not positioning themselves. They cannot complain about being left out when they are not participating,” he said.
The minister said entrepreneurs to invest in construction-related businesses and actively pursue tenders, saying failure to do so would see more opportunities going to companies from outside the district.