By Thembelihle Mhlanga
Villagers in Zimbili A and B in Ward 19, Umzigwane district in Matabeleland South are urgently seeking assistance to rehabilitate their Bombridge Bridge, which has been severely damaged for 25 years.
Bombrridge Bridge, a critical crossing point, has become increasingly dangerous, especially during the rainy season, pushing villagers to make an urgent appeal to well-wishers for assistance in rehabilitating it.
A local resident, Josiah Ndlovu, described how Bombridge Bridge is an important tool for villagers and transporters.
He said villagers had tried to fix it but their efforts have been insufficient to withstand seasonal rains and heavy use.
โBombridge bridge has been severely damaged for 25 years and now needs urgent repairs. We have tried to fix it ourselves, but our work is only temporary,โ he said.
Another concerned villager, Vusumuzi Ncube, added that when it rains, crossing is treacherous. โWe fear for our lives every time we cross it,โ he said.
The villagers said Bombridge provides an essential access route for people and those in various trade, schoolchildren and transporters who rely on it for daily activities.
โWe are appealing to anyone who can assist such as organisations, businesses, or individuals, to help us build a new Bombridge Bridge,โ Ncube said.
A local transporter lamented how the bridgeโs condition has disrupted his livelihood.
โAs a transporter, I have been using this bridge for years, but now I am forced to stop during the rainy season. The bridge is too damaged, and the road is filled with potholes, making it impossible to cross safely,โ Nkosila said.
Musawenkosi Ndlovu, a soldier stationed near the bridge, also stressed the importance of urgent repairs.
โThe Bombridge Bridge is vital, and its repair is crucial. The community, and local authorities, must work together to make this happen,โ he said.
Despite the villagersโ attempts to repair the bridge themselves, their efforts have been hampered by a lack of resources.
Ward 19 Councillor Pilate Sibanda acknowledged that more support is needed to fix the bridge.
โIt is true that the community and its leaders made some initiatives to repair the bridge, but their efforts did not yield significant results because they did not have adequate materials,โ Sibanda said.
โSourcing donors is one of the options we are exploring to address this critical issue.โ
Another local, who identified himself as Herbert, suggested that constructing an elevated bridge would be the most effective long-term solution.
โDuring the rainy season, when the river is full, we have to wait for the water to recede before we can cross,โ he explained.
โWe donโt need a luxury bridge, but we need a safe and reliable one that allows us to cross safely.โ
This story was produced as part of the CITE Youth Network training program, which aims to empower young women in rural communities with digital skills, enhancing their ability to create and share community news.
