By Rex Mphisa
ZIMBORDERS, builders of the world class features at the Beitbridge Border Post, continue to push high infrastructure standards in the country.
This was demonstrated by the new Roads Department Maintenance Camp five kilometres up Harare road which apart from being class, demonstrates the safety of gated housing.
The modern complex is simply whole.
“This modern, durable, and aesthetically designed complex, situated on a 15,600-square-metre site, is a comprehensive and self-contained operational hub,” said Zimborders General Manager Nqobile Ncube.
“It comprises, for accommodation a 156 square metre superintendent’s house, along with two houses each for foremen, supervisors, and administration officers — all featuring three bedrooms, bathrooms, and living spaces,” he said.
It has guest facilities comprising four self-contained housing units with a reception area, kitchen, and a covered braai
(barbecue) area.
And it also has an administration building over 179 square metres providing four offices, a 20-seater boardroom, and a kitchenette.
It also has a 228 square metres workshop complete with a parts store, two service pits, a workshop manager’s
office, and a self-contained ablution block.
“The adjacent equipment yard is spacious enough to accommodate double-axle trucks. All of these facilities are secured within a gated complex, complete with a gatehouse, ensuring controlled access and operational safety,” said Ncube during the commissioning of the facility.
He said while the core mission for his Zimborders is optimisation of border efficiencies enhancing revenue collection for the Government, their commitment extended beyond the border control zone.
“Our mandate included significant civic infrastructure upgrades, such as the rehabilitation of sewer ponds, the establishment of a fire station, and the construction of a new 11.4-million-litre water reservoir.,” hs said.
Their reservoir which stands a landmark at Mawale Hills, also called “Woman’s Beeast Hills, is changing water dispensations in dry Beitbridge when it will soon flow at Chicago Village taps.
At the moment it has reached Mabhidhi’s Ronniss Sports Arena some eight kilometres up Harare road, according to town clerk Loud Ramakgapola.
“This reservoir is a critical asset, designed to serve the entire Beitbridge community — up to Lutumba — for approximately six days,” said Ncube.
Although to many it appears a Maintenance Camp, development enthusiasts view it, along with the Civil Servants Village, as a model for planned accommodation that could be replicated in rural and urban set ups.
It’s predecessor, an embarrassing facility constructed from iron sheets that was close to the border post, has been pushed away but challenges remain in maintenence of the facilty.
Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Roads and Infrastructure Development Tawanda Karikoga hoped an estate manager would be employed to maintain the high standard.
“We don’t want to see disorderly features like small maize fields, foul runs and hap-hazard gardens. Let’s maintain standards here,” he said.
Entities like the Municipality of Beitbridge and its sister Beitbridge Rural District Council and other housing developers in Beitbridge do not have to travel far to learn layouts, designs and poise, its zt theid doorstep.
“While this project is physically located in Beitbridge, its impact is truly national. It has been approved as a standard stock-type Maintenance Camp for the Ministry of Transport — setting a new benchmark for infrastructure development across Zimbabwe. We believe this model can be replicated
countrywide to effectively serve our infrastructure needs.
On behalf of ZimBorders, we are proud to contribute to Zimbabwe’s vision for modern, efficient, and resilient infrastructure,” said Ncube.