By Cuthbert Mashoko
Centre News Hub
MWENEZI — The legislator for Mwenezi East Constituency, Sheillah Chikomo, has been commended for development projects that are transforming the once-marginalised constituency and complementing the work of Mwenezi Rural District Council in delivering sustainable services.
Mwenezi East lies in Natural Regions 4 and 5, characterised by low and erratic rainfall. The area has long been referred to as “dry land.”
Village Business Units Drive Local Economy
Chikomo’s successful rollout of the Presidential Village Business Units (VBUs) in all six wards has turned things around. The VBUs are now acting as economic hubs, anchoring projects in water, sanitation, nutrition gardens, poultry, and fish farming.
The projects have created new opportunities for women, youths, and people living with disabilities, in line with President Mnangagwa’s mantra of “leaving no one and no place behind.”
Education Infrastructure Revamped
Through a community partnership model, Chikomo has funded the construction of classroom blocks at Tokwe-Mukosi, Batanai, Guramatunhu, Mariot, Matenga, Chingwizi, Sosonye, Chiumburu, Chemhara, and other schools.
Under the model, the MP provides resources while parents contribute labour. The new infrastructure has created a conducive teaching and learning environment, especially for schools that previously operated as satellites with little to no facilities.
Health Sector Gets Boost
The constituency, largely a resettlement area, previously relied on only Rutenga and Nyuni Clinics.
To ease pressure, Chikomo, in partnership with government and the local authority, initiated the construction of Juneri Clinic in Ward 5.
Promoting Self-Reliance
Chikomo has also funded income-generating projects across all six wards, targeting men, women, youths, and people with disabilities. Thriving poultry, goat, and piggery projects testify to the impact, with many young people now choosing to stay and build livelihoods instead of seeking work across the Limpopo.
“My mandate as the Member of Parliament for Mwenezi East is to steer development and ensure that Mwenezi is not left behind. With the support of His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, we are getting there. We are proud that we will host the 2027 National Independence celebrations. That on its own is a window of opportunity. Together we make a difference. Mwenezi is on the rise,” said Chikomo.
District Applauds Efforts
Mwenezi District Development Coordinator Isaac Mutambara applauded Chikomo’s hands-on approach.
“Here is a Member of Parliament who lives with the people. Her approach to development is pragmatic. We are proud of her. Schools have been built, boreholes are being drilled, and Village Business Units are thriving. The standard of living in Mwenezi East is on the rise. She is playing her part in ensuring Vision 2030 becomes a reality,” said Mutambara.
The projects being rolled out in Mwenezi East also feed into the second National Development Strategy (NDS2), which runs through to 2030 and seeks to consolidate the gains of its predecessor, NDS1, in driving inclusive, people-centred growth across all districts. Analysts say initiatives such as the VBUs, school infrastructure, and clinic construction reflect the kind of grassroots-level implementation that underpins both NDS2 and the broader Vision 2030 agenda of transforming Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy — anchored on President Mnangagwa’s philosophy that development must reach “no one and no place” left behind.
Mwenezi Rural District Council Chair , Councillor Admire Matutu appaludes Chikomo for complementing council in developing the district.
” We are very happy with the way Hon Sheillah Chikomo is running the show. She is meeting the expectations of the Government through attending to education, health and water and sanitation. This is raising the socio economic status of the people of Mwenezi. Recently we witnessed distribution of chicks across the Constituency among other empowerment initiatives ” sai Matutu.
Chikomo’s development trajectory in Mwenezi East is being hailed as a practical example of modernisation bringing hope and opportunity to a once-marginalised community
