Neglected constituency lags behind

According to the local Member of Parliament, Moses Mzila Ndlovu, the constituency is dominated by the Kalanga and the nomadic San tribes.

“Bulilima constituency has been neglected for very long time. Pupils travel more than 10km to school. Some schools, like Mbambadzi Secondary School, have a zero percent pass rate at O-level because of numerous problems which need to be addressed,” he said.

Ndlovu added that most schools in the constituency had high drop out rates at both secondary and primary levels due to the long and grueling distances students were forced to travel.

“A lot of pupils are deserting school and migrating to neighbouring countries such as Botswana and South Africa seeking employment. This development is unhealthy for our nation. We need to invest in the education of our children so that we have good leaders tomorrow,” said Ndlovu.

In a bid to try to at least address some of the education challenges in the constituency, Ndlovu last year secured a donation of books and equipment from the Australian Embassy. Some of the schools that benefitted from the books are Thekwane and Mbambadzi secondary schools. Ndlovu also managed to secure a donation from the British Embassy for the construction of a community library.

“With my limited resources, I have adopted some less privileged children in the constituency whose high school and tertiary education fees I am taking care of. One student, Simply Moyo, is studying medicine at the University of Zimbabwe. I have also facilitated some students to go to Algeria to further their studies,” he said.

One of the major problems in the constituency is wildlife.

“Another major challenge facing my constituency is wild animals, particularly elephants, which are destroying people‘s crops and infrastructure. The elephants, buffaloes and lions have also killed people in the area. Generally people in the constituency have run out of patience and are calling for the eradication of wild animals in and around the area,” said the MP.

He also decried the shortage of tarred roads and clinics in the area.

Ndlovu serves as one of the six negotiators to the Global Political Agreement and a member of the management committee of the Committee of Parliament of the new Constitution.