By Rex Mphisa
ABOUT 27 villages, home to thousands of villagers in previously underdeveloped Tshitulifhasi area 120 kilometres east of Beitbridge town, are now seeing the light.
This follows the installation of a massive solar power plant with a 120 kilowatts capacity by the Rural Electricity Agency (REA) which started the project in 2024..
The villagers now hope this will be complemented by a sound and easily navigable road as Government moves with speed to put pillars of development across the country.
Beneficiaries of the Tshitulifhasi Community Solar Mini-Grid Project are 27 village homesteads, Tshitulifhasi Primary School, 18 business enterprises, Zimbabwe Republic Police Post, two churches, a community borehole, Rural Development Agency offices, Veterinary and Registry sub-offices.
The Member of Parliament for Beitbridge East Albert Nguluvhe said the project represented Government’s unwavering commitment to inclusive development and the decentralisation of essential services.
“People of Matabeleland South were honoured to host the Minister of Energy and Power Development July Moyo for the commissioning of a project that represents Government’s unwavering commitment to inclusive development and the decentralisation of essential services,” he said.
“Before Independence, access to electricity in rural communities was almost non-existent, leaving families dependent on firewood and limiting opportunities for business growth, quality healthcare and improved education. Today, through the visionary leadership of His Excellency President Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and the Second Republic, rural communities are increasingly benefiting from modern energy infrastructure that is changing lives and creating new economic opportunities.”
Nguluvhe commended REA for the remarkable progress made in implementing electrification projects throughout Matabeleland South Province, saying the Agency’s dedication and professionalism would ensure the timely completion of outstanding projects across the province.
He urged Government Ministries, Departments, Agencies, local authorities, development partners, the private sector and communities to fully utilise the energy infrastructure being established by REA to drive agricultural production, value addition, rural industrialisation, education, healthcare delivery and entrepreneurship.
“The provision of electricity is only the beginning. Sustainable development will be realised when communities utilise this infrastructure productively to create businesses, improve public services, generate employment and uplift household incomes,” he said.
Moyo during the commissioning ceremony, described the Tshitulifhasi Solar Mini-Grid Project as a major step towards achieving universal access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy.
The project, he said, will provide uninterrupted electricity to households, schools and health facilities while stimulating local economic development.
Moyo also applauded the construction of 25 domestic biogas digesters for households located beyond the mini-grid coverage area, an initiative that will provide clean, affordable cooking energy and aligns with Zimbabwe’s National Renewable Energy Policy and Sustainable Development Goal 7 on universal access to sustainable energy.
He encouraged beneficiaries to safeguard the infrastructure against theft and vandalism and to use the electricity productively to improve livelihoods.
“As we switch on the power today at Tshitulifhasi, we are switching on opportunity, hope and a brighter future for generations to come,” said Moyo during the commissioning of the plant.
“The Tshitulifhasi Solar Mini-Grid Project and Biogas Digesters reflect the Second Republic’s commitment to leaving no community behind through expanded access to renewable energy, improved public service delivery, rural industrialisation and inclusive socio-economic development,” he said.
The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Energy and Power Development Yeukai Simbanegavi, Chief Matibe, Headman Tsetana, kraal heads, Beitbridge Rural District Council (RDC) Chairman Oscah Chiromo, RDC head CEO Kiliboni Mbedzi, REA representatives, the Rural Electrification Fund (REF), Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authorities, Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) the business community and hundreds of residents.