By Rex Mphisa
LOCAL authorities in Zimbabwe must revisit and strengthen their bylaws ensuring companies operating in their jurisdictions have corporate social responsibility.
Communities in most parts of Zimbabwe wallow in poverty while large companies, at times from abroad, make millions of dollars extracting resources from their areas without thought of villagers whose areas they exploit.
Such cases in Zimbabwe are many and have increased of late.
“Councillors must strengthen bylaws that ensure companies extracting minerals in the province contribute to community development,” Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe said Saturday.
He was making remarks at the launch of a helipad at St Anne’s Mission Hospital in Brunaperg in Mangwe District.
The helipad, enabled by community initiatives will facilitate the faster transfer of the sick to referral institutions in Bulawayo.
He described the helipad not merely as infrastructure, but as a symbol of mercy, compassion, and progress—a lifeline for the people of Brunaberg and the surrounding region.
Zimbabwe now has an air rescue facility with a helicopter dedicated to each province.
But some districts are not benefitting from the development owing to distance where the helicopters need to refuel. Beitbridge is one such case.
Nguluvhe said the government is committed to improving communication network access across all districts.
He asked the community to take it upon themselves to improve accomodation situation responsible for staff exodus from their institutions.
“Staff accommodation is a shared responsibility and I encourage local involvement in addressing the issue,” he said.
He also said thT officia.s in Matabeleland South must involve the youths in their development initiatives to ensure continuity.
Nguluvhe, who calls himself the “foot soldier” said he was dedicated to the development of Matabeleland South and would visit every part of the vast province to learn community needs.
Brunaberg, he said, would benefit from the 2026 national Uhuru celebrations to be hosted by Matabeleland South.
St. Anne’s Mission Hospital serves an estimated population of 30,000 and hosts a nursing school with one annual intake.
It has two, 44 nurses, and two laboratory technicians.
Government-funded renovations were done in 2023 which include a new theatre bed and a geyser.
The hospital has several sustainability and income generation projects aimed including mushroom farming, a newly started nutricion garden and a canteen project generating additional income.
Community support has played a key role, particularly in vehicle repairs and the construction of staff housing.