The Sunday News
Robin Muchetu Senior Reporter
TSHELANYEMBA area in Matobo district now has a new registry sub office following years of operating without the essential office.
The sub-office was officially opened and handed over by the Senior Minister of State Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo recently.Cde Khaya Moyo applauded the community for spearheading the construction of the sub-office, in the process showing the will to work towards the development of their area.
“It is against this background that I extol the Tshelanyemba community for discarding the spoon- feeding mentality where people sit back and wait for Government handouts. They have adopted the tough resilient spirit of Zimbabweans and transformed it into a strong will to work assiduously to successfully design, plan and implement beneficial projects like this one,” he said.
The registry office was initiated in 2006 with the local community contributing R70 per household to its construction as villagers from areas like Bhewula, Silebuho and Sewula wards were travelling up to 70 kilometres in order to obtain critical documents such as birth certificates, national identity cards, cattle brands and even death certificates.
Villagers were travelling to Kezi where there is a registry sub-office and it was inconvenient as people were sleeping in the bush en route to Kezi.
Cde Khaya Moyo called upon various communities countrywide to take a leaf off Tshelanyemba people and embark on community driven projects without extending the begging bowl to Government and the donor community.
The senior minister told the gathering that the catchment area for the sub-office straddled three chieftainships in Matobo district and had an estimated population of 10 000 families who are under 114 village heads.
“The sub-office will go a long way in eliminating the challenges associated with providing transport availability to Kezi together with the attendant costs associated with providing transport needs for as many as three witnesses,” he said.
The Kezi registry would also be relieved of pressure by serving considerably fewer clients thereby also increasing the efficiency levels at that registry.
Registration of cattle brands will also be done at the office which is important in cattle rearing in Tshelanyemba.
The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture and Zanu-PF provincial chairman for Matabeleland South province, Cde Andrew Langa, said the initiative was well thought and applauded the leadership for working together in unity.
“I applaud such projects as they change the face of the community. It is in line with our new economic blueprint so we appreciate the work done here,” said Cde Langa.
Meanwhile, Cde Khaya Moyo has encouraged youths to return home and assist in nation building rather than live in neighbouring countries where they are fighting hard to eke a decent living.
Cde Khaya Moyo said there were more opportunities back home than in other countries.
“Youths should realise that there are more opportunities here than in South Africa where they all flock to. They need to come back to Zimbabwe and help in building their nation for a better tomorrow,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.
He said there were a number of projects that youths can embark on locally to better their lives.
He was, however, at pains to say thousands of Zimbabweans are dying in South Africa without having contributed much to the development of the country.
“There is no joy in seeing the large numbers of dead people that cross our borders every time from South Africa, we want them to come and work for the country not to come back deceased,” he said.
“The lights are beautiful yes, the food is good but there is no life for you there, abantwana kumele baphenduke ekhaya and work to develop their homes,” added Cde Khaya Moyo.
The senior minister is not the first to express his dismay over the situation of an estimated two million Zimbabweans living in South Africa.
Former Ambassador to South Africa Report Phelekezela Mphoko also expressed his concern over Zimbabweans living there.
He said many Zimbabweans were not formally employed and were living in squalid conditions.
