The Sunday News
Thandeka Matebesi, Sunday News Reporter
THE newly elected Member of Parliament for Matobo North in Matabeleland South, Cde Edgar Moyo, has hit the ground running by initiating a scholarship programme in his area and also engaging service providers to improve the lives of the people in his constituency.
This, he said, was in line with his campaign message where he promised to urgently address issues around communication, schools infrastructure and help farmers in the area.
In an interview, Cde Moyo said he has engaged fixed telecoms operator TelOne and has also managed to secure scholarships for tertiary students who originate from Matobo.
“I am working on the provision of affordable communication ways because it is an issue which affects everyone in my constituency. I have engaged TelOne and I am waiting for the response.
“As part of my efforts to assist disadvantaged students and promote the development of sciences, I have managed to secure 10 post-graduate scholarships for those who are from Matobo and want to pursue their education in South Africa,” said Cde Moyo.
He added: “As a renowned educationist I value education so much and, in addition to the 25 students I have been paying fees for since 1990, I plan on creating a fund to assist disadvantaged students. I want to arrest migration to South Africa by our youth.”
Cde Moyo, a former headmaster at several schools in Matobo who is now a PhD candidate with the Zimbabwe Open University also said he was worried with the way his constituency was not benefiting from investments in the Matobo area and is planning to engage relevant stakeholders to improve the situation.
“We have a lot of natural attractions and we want to do an analysis of how best people can benefit from their resources because there are a lot of organisations that are using the status of Matobo but locals have not been benefiting anything.
“I have talked to the National Museums on that issue and they are willing to assist,” he said.
Cde Moyo said he also has plans to set up a farming association and to also mechanise small-scale mining.
“I have plans to set up a strong farming association as soon as I am sworn-in because I have noted with concern that many farmers lack knowledge and strategies with regards to farming issues so they are getting way less than they should be getting.
“Mining is also a major employer in Matobo but people are enslaved because of lack of mechanisation.
“I am going to assist small-scale miners to get equipment because we need to move a step further and mechanise so that there is an increase in production.
“I am also worried about ownership of claims as people are holding suspiciously huge claims without proper ownership structures.”
Cde Moyo said his leadership is more participatory in nature and he is not the one to disappear after being elected.
“I value interaction and I want the community to be involved in everything that affects them. I have a lot of ideas and I could suggest them or simply act but I want to move with the community.
“I don’t want to disappear from the people only to show up after five years so I am in the process of setting up structures at constituency and ward level so that there is regular engagement on a quarterly basis to report back on arising issues,” he said.
Cde Moyo urged the people of Matobo to move forward and focus on rebuilding the economy as a united front.
“We are now after the election, we need to unite and work together for the greater good of Matobo. I am happy because other contestants accepted the election results and congratulated me,” he said.
