Chikuku is the economic, social and political hub for Bikita East Constituency, frequented by many people particularly the youths who spend most of their time hanging around the centre.
“Youths, most of them unemployed, are largely responsible for the political violence that has rocked Chikuku and surrounding areas around election time. So the local business community has come up with initiatives aimed at promoting peace and repairing the area’s battered image,” said Douglas Mufunda, a local businessman.
He said the high rate of unemployment made the youths susceptible to abuse by politicians. “Most of the youths who spend their time at the township are educated – but have nowhere to find employment. An idle mind is a devil’s workshop,” he added.
Richard Maposa, an MDC activist, was one of many killed by Zanu (PF) youths at their torture base during the 2002 elections. “Most people were shunning doing business here and opted to do their shopping at Gedhe Maranganyika and Nehanda Townships. We were losing out on business until we put our heads together to play our part in reversing that scenario,” said Regerai Mapara, owner of local butchery Chegono Meats.
“The most serious problem I identified soon after establishing Roots Restaurant, Bottle Store and Butchery at Chikuku Township was that most of the youths were drinking too much alcohol and inciting violence. I realised it was because they had nothing else to do so I formed the Roots Football Club,” Mufunda said.
He bought football kit and took care of the welfare of every team member. “With the small allowance I paid to the players, some team members were able to buy their families food and assist their siblings with school fees,” said Mufunda. The team was promoted to the Zimbabwe Football Association Division One after two years of existence.
“I am grateful to Mufunda for coming up with such a noble initiative. Most of the youths now come to watch us during training and when we play other teams in the district and the entire province. People are entertained. This has seen a great reduction in crime and drug abuse,” said Tinashe Dururu, the chief striker for Roots Restaurant F.C.
Mufunda also set up Roots Restaurant Jazz Band led by Togarepi Bandauko, a former Zanu (PF) youth leader. “Instead of mobilising youths from his party to beat up people from the former opposition MDC party, Bandauko and his band members who terrorised youths in the past now spend most of their time entertaining people,” said Moses Maposa, councillor for Ward 31.
“We agreed among ourselves as the business community that anyone selling alcohol must provide a colour TV and a large stereo with gigantic speakers to entertain revellers. The strategy has worked in that revellers now spend most of their time gyrating to music and fighting has been greatly reduced,” said Chenjerai Chinaumwe, a bottle store owner.
“It is encouraging that Tafara Dururu brought a snooker table into his bar. Most of the youths spend their time competing and polishing their abilities in harmony as they while away time, unlike in the past when they lacked a variety of entertainment,” said Jacob Chimunhu. The local business community has also organised a market where people from other areas bring their wares for sale every month-end.
“There is need for variety to satisfy our consumer’s needs and wants. The monthly market enables consumers to buy many products ranging from livestock to clothes which we might not be able to provide at local level,” said Ambuya Mary Chakonda, chairperson of Chikuku Business Community Partnership for Development.
Post published in: News