US$1 000, diesel donated towards Tsholotsho road

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected]

THE Tsholotsho Road Rehabilitation Initiative (TRRI) has received a further resource boost after Tsholotsho South legislator and Deputy Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities Cde Musa Ncube donated US$1 000 and 500 litres of diesel towards the project.

The development comes as project organisers called on cross-border transporters and other businesses that rely on the Bulawayo-Tsholotsho road to contribute towards its rehabilitation.

Cde Ncube becomes the second politician from Matabeleland North to make a major individual contribution to the initiative after Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Richard

Moyo donated US$2 000. The Landa John Nkomo Trust has also pledged US$2 000 towards the project.

The Bulawayo-Nyamandlovu-Tsholotsho Taxis Association, which operates along the route, last week handed over R10 000 and pledged to mobilise additional resources.

In a post on Facebook, Cde Ncube expressed appreciation for efforts by Government and local communities to improve road infrastructure in Tsholotsho and Umguza districts.

“We’re pleased that the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Rida, Zinara, Tsholotsho RDC and Umguza RDC have their boots on the ground to rehabilitate key road infrastructure in Tsholotsho and Umguza Districts,” she said.

“We owe it to our Minister of State, Chiefs, local leadership, the community and diaspora community for their contributions in support of these infrastructure developments to see the light of day.”

Cde Ncube said the contributions demonstrated the importance of collective efforts in driving development.

“Our people are proving that when efforts are unified towards the common purpose of development, progress is inevitable,” she said.

TRRI chairperson Mr Cephas Tshuma expressed gratitude for the latest donations, saying this demonstrates the road’s rehabilitation was a collective responsibility.

“We deeply appreciate this gesture because it demonstrates something very important: this road belongs to all of us, and its rehabilitation requires all of us to play our part,” he said.

Mr Tshuma said the transport sector was among those bearing the greatest burden because of the poor condition of the road.

“Every day, taxis, omalayitsha, buses, traders, passengers and other motorists travel this route. The challenges experienced on the road directly affect their businesses, their vehicles, their livelihoods and, most importantly, the people who depend on these services,” he said.

He urged omalayitsha associations, taxi associations, bus operators and other businesses using the route to emulate the latest contributions.

“We would, therefore, like to use this opportunity to make a special appeal to all omalayitsha associations, taxi associations, bus operators and other businesses using this road. Please follow this example,” said Mr Tshuma.

He said contributions towards road rehabilitation should be viewed as an investment by transport operators in their own businesses.

“For transport operators in particular, investing in this road is also investing in your own businesses. A better road means less damage to vehicles, reduced maintenance costs, shorter travelling times, improved reliability and, ultimately, a better service to the communities you serve,” he said.

Community members continue contributing various amounts to the project that has already kicked off and is expected to be completed within 60 days. The initiative covers 65km with the remaining 15 set to be done by Government-contracted contractors who were each given 7,5km.

The road is regarded as the economic lifeline of Tsholotsho District, connecting farmers to markets, learners to educational institutions, patients to referral hospitals and businesses to suppliers. It also serves as a key route for tourism traffic heading to parts of Hwange District and other attractions in Matabeleland North.