MARONDERA Marondera is slowly turning into a ghost town as most of its residents cannot find employment and are deserting the town due to the closure of the majority of agro-based industries after the 2000 chaotic land invasions. (Pictured: A once thriving t
Thousands of workers have been left with no jobs after factories closed down and have turned to the streets where they are surviving on selling anything. “I was employed in the industries for more than 10 years but I lost my job in 2005 when the owner, a white man closed down. Even though I tried to find another one it was not easy and I eventually decided to sell vegetables,” said Fanuel Manuwero, a vendor at Dombotombo bus stop.
His tale is similar to that of a thousand others. The Mayor of the small town situated about 80 kilometres from the capital, Harare and home to over 100 000 people, is worried with the state of his town. “There is no development to talk about in Marondera investors are not keen to come back as our industries have been largely based on agriculture, even though we have water and vast lands. In terms of infrastructure we are second to none, we have an excellent railway line and roads network, apart from that we also have an airport but we are not growing,” said Mayor Farai Nyandoro.
Despite the seemingly stunning curriculum vitae and even efforts by the town to lure back investors by rolling out commercial and industrial stands at lower prices the town is still to reap any benefits. The vast factories are closed while goods trains are only but memories in the minds of the old fork in the town. “There is no formal employment to talk about in Marondera. Some used to work in the farms but there are no longer jobs since the land invasions,” said Nyandoro
What is more worrying though, for the town fathers, is that there no longer a revenue base. The town, which is the capital town of Mashonaland East Province struggles to pay for services such as electricity.
“We are in a dilemma as we struggle to make payments. We also struggle to pay our workers, our salary bill is over US$300 000 but we only get to collect a monthly revenue of US$280 000.” Still reeling from the ripple effects of the land reform programme, Marondera like the rest of Zimbabwe has been jolted by the Indigenisation and Empowerment Regulations, which have seen investors packing their bags. “I have heard that the owner of Mitchell’s, our biggest employer has left after powerful Zanu (PF) officials demanded 51% shares. As a result many people have lost their jobs,” said Nyandoro.
Mitchell’s , a confectionary business, was the heartbeat of Marondera, employing over 4000 people but now employs less than 100. Marondera hostels that used to be occupied by about 300 people is now home to less than 40. There is no running water at the block of flats. Young girls have turned to prostitution. “That place is a little Sodom, young women are selling their bodies for less than $3, said a man who lives in Dombotombo.
Post published in: News