The Sunday Mail
A relatively unknown place situated in the dry semi-arid region of Manicaland, some forty kilometres off the Eastern Highlands capital, the diamond rich Chiadzwa area has risen to become one of the areas spearheading the economic revival of the country.
However, despite the abundance of the mineral resource, the area has been at the receiving end of food shortages due to the unfavourable climatic conditions.
The unavailability of fresh water for the thousands who were relocated to make way for the diamond mining activities posed numerous challenges for the authorities and alternative water sources had to be availed for the new settlements.
People in the area are questioning how the companies operating in the diamond fields are making such huge profits but failing to respond to the needs of the communities.
“We understand that they are making a killing out of the diamonds they mine from this place (Chiadzwa area), but us who used to own this resource are continuously being neglected to our immediate needs like water and food,” said Mrs Sibongile Munowakwa, one of the residents in the area.
However, one of the diamond mining firms operating in Chiadzwa has been hailed by villagers in the Chiadzwa area for coming to the aid of these villagers during their times of needy.
Speaking at a recent donation of various foodstuffs to the more than 8 000 families in the Chiadzwa area, Mbada Diamonds corporate communications executive Mr George Manyaya said by handing out foodstuffs, Mbada was fulfilling some of the major clusters on ZimAsset such as food security.
Mr Manyaya said Mbada Diamonds was playing its rightful role of harnessing the diamonds for the people.
“As we go for the Heroes holidays, we saw it fit that we eat together as one big family and we are going to give 50 kilogrammes bags of mealie meal to the 8 000 families here,” said Manyaya.
The management is well aware of the numerous challenges faced by the Chiadzwa community and those we relocated to the Arda Transau area.”
He said Mbada Diamonds has been coming in handy over the last few years in complimenting Government efforts in feeding the people who were relocated from Chiadzwa.
Mbada Diamonds has also constructed schools and houses for the people in the area.
Mr Manyaya said to avert water shortages in the area, the diamond harnessing giant has opened up 18 taps along a water pipe line channel that runs from Odzi River.
He said as part of their corporate social responsibility, they have pumped close to US$37 million into various programmes around the country.
Minister of state for Manicaland Province Christopher Mushowe thanked Mbada Diamonds for the kind gesture.
“Where are the other mining firms,” asked Minister Mushowe.
“We have seven mining firms but Mbada Diamonds is the only one visible when it comes to programmes that benefit the community,” he said.
Minister Mushohwe urged companies operating in Chiadzwa to emulate the good works.
An elated Headman Chiadzwa could not hide his joy and concurred with Minister Mushowe.
“These firms are supposed to prioritize the less fortunate’s needs,” he said.
A village elder in the area Booker Chipindirwa said the move by Mbada Diamonds comes as a relief to the Marange community.
“You should have seen the smiles of the people here, we have been saved from the jaws of poverty,” he said.
By Itai Mazire in Chiadzwa
