Nyaduri Cataract lies on the Mupudzi River which flows throughout the year and has become a source of livelihood for hundreds of villagers who rely on it for irrigation purposes.
The Madekurozva family from Bocha, Marange, discovered the opportunity to harness water for energy and approached the two communities about setting up turbines that could produce energy to light up the long neglected villages downstream.
Besides generating power for local villagers, the Nyaduri project eases pressure on the remaining indigenous woodlands, as cooking is done using this renewable energy.
The project coordinators Julius, Sailas, Thomas and Luke Madekurozva said their ambition was to see the project changing the lives of poor villagers using locally available resources.
“We are very much interested in community development and empowerment. We are a company that can grow if the government and donors assist us to pursue our dreams. We have not received any funding yet. We are using our own resources. We believe that given support for innovation we will be able to produce electricity that can stimulate development and change the lives of poor villagers,” said Luke Madekurozva.
To date 15 households from both sides of the river have been connected and have their homes lit up. One delighted beneficiary, Danny Mutande, said government should help fund such people.
“I am happy that my family is now connected to electricity and my children can study at night. For years I have failed to raise the funds being demanded by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to connect me to the power transformer.
“They wanted $55,000. But God answered our prayers by bringing the Madekurozva family here,” said Mutande. “We can now embark on horticulture because we need electricity to pump water from the river to our gardens. Electricity is cheaper than diesel and we need refrigeration to store our produces,” said Mutande.
Another villager, Alex Madzima, 35, underscored the need for government to fund such projects, saying they have the capacity to change lives. “If government funds such projects, a lot of opportunities will be created for locals. Jobs will be created and infrastructure will be developed,” e said.
Mutare South constituency legislator, Nyasha Chikwinya, said she was working closely with the members of the project and hoped to see it expanding to serve more than 500 households.
Similar projects have been established at Nyamhingura in Honde valley and Chipendeke in Himalaya Mutare district.
Post published in: News