Blessed Moyo and Faith Ndlovu, Sunday Life Reporters
IN an area where mud huts dominate the landscape, a striking double-storey house in Jutshume Village, in Bulilima District in the expansive Matabeleland South Province has captured the attention of both locals and passers-by from far and wide, thanks to its distinctive and ambitious design.
Marking a first for Jutshume, the breath-taking double-storey structure has emerged as a landmark not just within the village but across all of Bulilima and Plumtree, symbolising the new architectural aspirations of Matabeleland South’s sons and daughters who are infusing urban elegance into their traditional homes.
Builder Nduna Manyathi (41), who operates from South Africa, shared with Sunday Life that he constructed the double-storey residence to satisfy his wife’s request for more space, after the initial six-room house he built felt inadequate. The homestead spans approximately 115 square metres.
“I had built a house for my wife; however, she said the rooms were not enough for everyone to stay in the main house, and she needed more rooms, especially for our girls. I decided to extend the house, making it a double-storey because I did not want to build two separate houses,” said Nduna.
This pioneering architectural feat has sparked conversations in the community and on social media, as both neighbours and residents from Bulilima flock to catch a glimpse of this rarity in rural settings.
“It took me about two months to fully construct the house because I have a construction company, the Nduna Manyathi Construction Company. All the resources and manpower were available at my service, hence I managed to get the house finished in a short period of time,” he said.
Nduna’s goal is to transform the rural building landscape, demonstrating that builders can create stunning homes for themselves, not just for clients. His company provides employment to local youths, equipping them with valuable skills.
“My main goal was to show that builders can have beautiful homes too. Since I have a construction company, I thought I should do great work for ourselves, not just for clients,” he explained.
The impressive double-storey house has become more than just an architectural marvel, it stands as a beacon of pride and progress for the entire township. The breath-taking structure has not only enhanced the aesthetic of the area but has also placed Bulilima firmly on the map, showcasing the community’s potential for growth and development.
Nomonde Nkomo, Nduna’s wife, expressed her happiness with the house, noting that she is now receiving respect from many women in the community.
Mr Bradley Mpofu, a town planner in Plumtree who was interviewed by the Sunday News stated that building a double-storey house in rural areas poses no problem, provided it stands on the required square metres.
“Building a double-storey in rural areas is not a problem at all. One has to get their house plan drawn and approved by the council, however, one has to consider that all rural land belongs to the Government, hence they must take into account that the land could be required by the lawful owners, even after a long time,” said Mr Mpofu.
Community leader Mr Tapson Mabandla said the house is a beautiful addition to the area, with many locals admiring it as something that enhances the neighbourhood.
“We are proud of this house; it shows that our area is developing because what we need is progress. We are very happy as a community,” he said.
Neighbours also take pride in the impressive double-storey house, often referring to it when telling others about their origins.
Nduna encourages fellow builders to have confidence in themselves, take pride in their work and aim for excellence in every project, including their own homes.
