The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has commissioned an electrification project at Majindane Primary School in Umguza District, Matabeleland North, bringing power to the school, the local business Centre and a community borehole.
Speaking during the switch-on ceremony, REA Acting Chief Executive Officer, Felister Makumbinde said the project which started on June 12, 2025 was completed within 50 days at a cost of ZWG3 million.
“The project entails the electrification of Majindane Primary School, the Majindane Business Centre and a borehole. We started this project on June 12, 2025 and completed it within 50 days at a cost of ZWG3 million,” said Makumbinde.
She said the project forms part of REA’s broader mandate to improve access to electricity in rural communities and accelerate socio-economic development.
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Makumbinde revealed that since January this year, REA has completed the electrification of Ngazini Primary School and Mfanyana Clinic in Umguza District while work is underway to extend electricity to Mawabeni Clinic through a 25-kilometre power line.
The agency has also completed seven biogas digesters in Mawabeni Village in Nyamandlovu.
Providing an update on REA’s achievements in Umguza District, Makumbinde said the agency has electrified 44 primary schools, 14 secondary schools, eight rural health centres, three traditional leaders’ homesteads, three government extension offices, six business centres, 24 small-scale farms and 12 irrigation schemes.
“These institutions are enjoying electricity as we speak. Rural electrification is transforming communities by improving access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities,” she said.
Beyond grid electrification, REA has completed eight solar projects in the district and continues to promote renewable energy technologies.
Makumbinde highlighted the agency’s biogas programme, citing successful institutional biogas projects at George Silundika Secondary School, St James Girls High School, Andrew Farm and Ntabazinduna Training Centre.
“We are promoting biogas technology for both institutions and households. If a family has a minimum of eight cattle, it can successfully operate a biogas digester. We encourage communities interested in clean cooking energy and forest conservation to approach REA offices for assistance,” she said.
At provincial level, Makumbinde said REA has completed 22 projects in Matabeleland North since January this year and is currently implementing eight more electrification projects, two community solar mini-grids and 24 institutional solar systems.
The province has also seen the completion of 27 domestic biogas digesters while another 25 domestic units and one institutional biogas digester are under construction.
“In total, Matabeleland North Province has benefited from 139 solar systems and 19 institutional biogas digesters. Our objective is to ensure that no rural community is left behind in the country’s development agenda,” said Makumbinde.
Nationally, REA has energized 181 institutions through grid electrification since the beginning of the year with 196 additional projects under implementation.
The agency has also energized two institutional biogas digesters, completed 37 domestic biogas digesters and installed more than 1,047 solar systems countrywide.
To date, REA has constructed 594 biogas digesters across Zimbabwe.
Majindane Primary School Headmaster Edward Tshuma welcomed the development describing electricity as a game changer for the school.
“Access to electricity marks the beginning of a new chapter for Majindane Primary School. We are now able to introduce computer lessons, improve our study environment and create better learning opportunities for our pupils. Our goal is to improve academic performance and ensure that learners in this rural community enjoy the same opportunities as those in urban areas,” said Tshuma.
Established in 1984, the school currently has 105 learners and six teachers. Tshuma, who was recently appointed to the school pledged to improve the school’s pass rate, which previously stood at 16 percent.
Ward councillor Johannes Sibanda commended the government and REA for bringing electricity to the community.
“For many years, our community has looked forward to this day. Electricity will not only benefit the school but will also stimulate business activities, improve access to clean water through the electrified borehole and enhance the overall quality of life for residents. We are grateful to REA and the government for investing in rural development,” said Sibanda.
Community members expressed optimism that the project would boost educational outcomes, improve livelihoods and open up new economic opportunities for Majindane and surrounding areas.
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