Residents of Ngwana in Bulilima are set to benefit from improved access to healthcare following the construction of Ngwana Clinic, a nearly US$100,000 project spearheaded by the BanaBeNgwana Development Trust (BBDT) and its partners.
The clinic is expected to ease the burden on villagers who previously travelled up to 10km to access health services at other facilities.
Speaking at the official opening on Friday, Bulilima Rural District Council representative Biliatie Mlauzi commended the local community, BBDT and its diaspora partners for working together to make the project possible.
“Allow me to express my profound gratitude to the local community of Ngwana, the Bana Bengwana Development Trust (BBDT) and our diaspora partners, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) the Zimbabwe National Army, Mvimi Safaris and Ministry of Health and Child Care for their contributions towards the construction of Ngwana Clinic. I also extend my sincere appreciation to the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Honourable M. N. Ndlovu, and every stakeholder whose invaluable contributions have made the construction of Ngwana Clinic a reality,” Mlauzi said.
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He said the facility demonstrated the importance of partnerships in improving infrastructure and the quality of life in communities.
“This health facility stands as a beacon of hope and a testament to what we can achieve in our district when we work together. By investing in this clinic, we are investing in the very prosperity of Ngwana Community,” he said.
The project cost close to US$100,000, with most of the funding coming from local residents. It also received support from the International Organisation for Migration, the Zimbabwe National Army, BBDT and Pro Afrika in the Netherlands, which also constructed a women’s shelter.
Members of the local community carried out the construction work.
Mlauzi said the development was in line with the country’s vision of creating an upper-middle-income society through inclusive growth, modern infrastructure, efficient public institutions and an improved quality of life.
He said the council had prioritised investment in social infrastructure under its 2026-2030 Strategic Plan, with the aim of improving health and education standards in the district.
“In its five year 2026-2030 Strategic Plan, Bulilima Rural District Council has prioritised enhancement of social infrastructure development to improve the health and education levels within the district of Bulilima. To achieve its goals, Bulilima RDC employs an all-inclusive, collaborative approach that takes on board MDAs, community, diaspora and development partners within the district. Bulilima Rural District Council strongly believes that through collective efforts of all concerned stakeholders, the strategic goals of the district shall be achieved and results have proved us right,” he said.
Mlauzi also acknowledged the contribution of residents and people living in the diaspora to development initiatives in the district.
“The community of Bulilima District and the diaspora have always been instrumental in enhancing development in the district of Bulilima and therefore, we applaud them for supporting the Government of Zimbabwe. The notable involvement of our MPs in the developmental activities through CDF and other initiatives is well appreciated,” he said.
Meanwhile, BBDT board member Clifford Ndlovu said the clinic was conceived by the trust as an upgrade of a colonial-era health centre that had served the community before falling into disuse.
“This clinic was the brainchild of BBDT, as an upgrade of the colonial-era health centre which was two bedroom house, which still stands over there. I still remember being treated here in 1976. I had been injured while running to watch bulls fighting, and the skin on my heel was removed. The two health assistants who were both Sibanda and running the centre teased me, saying I fought the logs while enjoying the bull fight,” Ndlovu said.
He said the original health centre was damaged during a gun battle between freedom fighters and the Rhodesian Army at Vikani borehole in June 1977, leading to its closure.
“In June 1977, there was a historic gun battle between the freedom fighters and the Rhodesian Army at Vikani borehole, just behind those cottages, leading to the damage of the health centre house that resulted in its closure. From then on, our community had to walk up to 10km to access health services at Ndiweni Clinic, popularly known as eKhansili,” he said.
Ndlovu said the council revived the centre around 1981, shortly after independence. It was renovated and reopened, but stopped operating again in the mid-1980s after health workers were transferred.
“Around 1981, soon after Independence, Council revived the centre. It was renovated and painted, and brought back to service. It was run by EHT Mr Dickson Ncube and our local nurse, Ms Eveline PhansiMoyo, and the centre became known by her name. When they were all transferred mid 1980s, the centre stopped functioning again, without explanation. So that closure split our community into two – some went to Matjinge and others back to Ndiweni clinic. This painful situation has continued for nearly 40 years,” he said.
He said the closure was followed by the council advertising the unused health centre building for sale in the 1990s, during the Economic Structural Adjustment Programme (ESAP).
“This closure could be interpreted to mean a permanent closure for anything to do with a health centre in Ngwana, because it was followed by, in the 1990s by the RDCs sale of their unused buildings that included our Agritex officers’ house and this centre house was also gazetted and advertised for sale, this was during the ESAP (Economic Structural Adjustment Programme). Fortunately the health Centre house didn’t get a buyer but the Agritex Officers house was bought,” Ndlovu said.
Ndlovu said the new clinic would end the difficulties faced by generations of villagers who had to travel long distances to access healthcare.
“We here today to break that history of pain and to resurrect that which was dead to life. Never, never again shall our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all generations to come, should walk such long distances for health care. As BBDT we vowed that we will not leave our communities the way we found them. This clinic is one such change! Hats off to that,” he said.
He said BBDT was established in December 1998 after people from Ngwana living in different parts of Zimbabwe and abroad responded to a call to come together and plan development initiatives for their home area.
“The journey to the construction of this clinic. In December 1998, our senior brothers and sisters made a clarion call to all children of Ngwana to come home and plan for the development of our area. People came from all over the world and from across Zimbabwe. I remember I was in Zaka, I left everything and joined my generation, my schoolmates and classmates. That is when BanaBeNgwana Development Trust was born. The birth of BBDT brought hope,” Ndlovu said.
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