At least 432 villagers in Mhlasi Village in Kezi, Matobo North, are expected to gain access to clean and reliable water following the commissioning of a solar-powered borehole.
The project, launched over the weekend by Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, is intended to improve water access in Ward 21 under Chief Nyangazonke, where residents have long relied on unsafe wells and labour-intensive bush pumps.
The borehole was implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Zimbabwe (SecZim) in partnership with Arctic Blue Asset Management. It forms part of a broader initiative combining investor education programmes with community development projects.
The system is powered by solar energy and includes water storage tanks and a one-hectare nutrition garden. Officials say the solar installation will ensure a steady water supply in an area not connected to the national grid.
Communities in parts of Matobo North have faced persistent water shortages, often travelling long distances to access water from unprotected sources. Women and children are typically responsible for water collection.
A resident, Bhekisisa Moyo, said the new borehole would ease years of hardship.
“For years we have struggled to access clean and safe water, but this project will make a real difference in our daily lives,” he said.
SecZim commissioner Professor Mabutho Sibanda said the initiative was aimed at addressing water challenges in rural communities.
“We are optimistic that these solarised boreholes will go a long way in reducing water challenges in rural communities and improving people’s livelihoods,” he said.
The area’s Member of Parliament, Edgar Moyo, said the development marked a significant improvement in access to safe water.
“Our community has been relying on wells that posed health risks and bush pumps that required a lot of manual labour. These solar-powered boreholes will greatly improve access to safe water and capacitate our people,” he said.
The accompanying nutrition garden is expected to support year-round food production, helping households diversify diets and strengthen food security in a semi-arid region where rainfall is often erratic.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Professor Ncube said the project reflected corporate social responsibility efforts and recognised the resilience of rural communities.
Solar-powered water systems are increasingly being promoted as a sustainable solution to rural water and energy challenges, particularly in areas vulnerable to drought and power shortages.
Officials say similar projects could be extended to other underserved communities if funding permits.