Private sector crucial to inclusive housing: Min Chombo

Sunday Mail Reporter

THE provision of housing by the private sector, especially to vulnerable members of society, dovetails with the country’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which prioritises inclusive housing, Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Marian Chombo has said.

In an address in Kadoma during the handover ceremony of two fully constructed houses by Craft Properties to persons with disabilities and persons with albinism last week, Minister Chombo said the initiative was a practical expression of President Mnangagwa’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind

“You have given not just houses, but dignity, security and hope,” she said.

Minister Chombo said all 15 beneficiaries who received residential stands had been added to the company’s existing Nyaradzo Funeral Group Policy, extending welfare and social protection to beneficiaries and their recognised families and dependants.

“This is an important demonstration that the initiative is not only about constructing houses. It is about looking at the whole person, the family and their long-term well-being,” she said.

She thanked Craft Properties Holdings for transforming vision into reality, noting that in 2025 it donated 15 stands and had now gone beyond land to deliver two modern dignified core houses with ceramic floor tiling, wall tiling in kitchens, bathrooms and toilets, designed ceilings, full electrical tubing and wiring, and complete plumbing.

She said the initiative is in line with the overarching objectives of fighting poverty, reducing inequalities by uplifting persons with disabilities and persons with albinism, as well as promoting sustainable cities and communities through safe, adequate and affordable housing.

NDS2 prioritises inclusive housing and leveraging private sector-led development to close the national housing backlog of one million units.

“When we build as a nation for persons with disabilities and persons with albinism, when we build in high-density suburbs like Holyland, not only in low-density areas, we are saying every Zimbabwean matters. Every place matters,” she said.

She described the company’s support at Easterlea Primary School in Chakari in 2024, which included solar power, a borehole, Starlink connectivity and Wi-Fi, as well as bursary support for 50 learners, as “Vision 2030 in action”.

The Government alone, Minister Chombo added, could not build Zimbabwe. She also challenged the private sector in the province to assist in developing houses for the remaining 13 beneficiaries.

“Help build one room, one roof, one window,” she said.

“Two houses have been completed. Thirteen remain. Let us come together and complete the journey.”

The Government, she said, would continue to provide an enabling environment, expedite approvals and provide offsite infrastructure through the City of Kadoma.

Minister Chombo donated 10 000 bricks and 100 bags of cement towards construction of the remaining houses.

A representative of Zion Christian Church (ZCC) leader Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi also donated 10 000 bricks and 100 bags of cement.

He thanked Craft Properties chief executive officer Professor Kudakwashe Taruberekera for donating houses to persons living with disabilities.

“We would like to deeply thank Prof Kudakwashe Taruberekera and the Craft Properties Holdings company for the great work you have done in donating two houses to our children living with disabilities,” he said.

“You have done God’s work. You have built homes for those who could not build for themselves. Building such beautiful houses is a true demonstration of love. May God also do good things for you. Do not grow weary of continuing to do good . . Therefore, on behalf of God’s servant, our Bishop and the entire Zion Christian Church, we also want to extend our support so that this work continues to move forward.”

Source: Private sector crucial to inclusive housing: Min Chombo – herald

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