HWANGE Local Board (HLB) Ward 2 Councillor Fani Chirwa has called on employees to prepare for life after employment by investing in their own homes, emphasising that foresight in this area can help secure stability and dignity in retirement.
Chirwa’s comments come in light of reports that some employees, particularly former workers of Hwange Colliery Company Limited (HCCL) and Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), often face financial difficulties after leaving formal employment due to a lack of home ownership.
“My message to all employees is that they must begin preparing for the day they eventually leave formal employment. This can only be achieved through proper planning. One of the key steps is to join the waiting list while saving towards the opportunity to purchase a stand from HLB and build a home that will provide security and shelter for their families upon retirement,” she said.
HCCL and ZPC are Hwange’s largest employers, with many workers residing in company-owned housing where residents pay little to no fees for municipal services, including rates, water, sewerage, and electricity.
HCCL settlements include Lwendulu, Madumabisa, Lusumbami, Makwika, and Sendrella villages, while ZPC operates the Ingagula residential area. Some ZPC employees also live within the Hwange Local Board’s jurisdiction, particularly in Baobab, Baobab Hillside, and Chibondo suburbs, where rates are covered by their employer.
Chirwa noted that her Ward falls within HCCL’s concession area, where the company owns most properties occupied by its employees.
She said Council is working on providing low-cost residential stands aimed at low-income earners and urged residents with the financial means to take advantage of housing schemes offered by institutions such as FBC Building Society.
“We are on course to avail residential stands for low-income earners as part of our broader development agenda as the country moves towards attaining an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
I therefore encourage residents to ensure that their names are on the housing waiting list so they can benefit from these opportunities,” Chirwa said.
She also advised employees who plan to retire in rural areas to ensure their homesteads are ready and habitable while still in active service.
“For those who wish to leave town life behind, I encourage them to act promptly and ensure they have a rural home ready to support a smooth transition into retirement,” Chirwa said.
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