The Sunday Mail
Theseus Shambare recently in GOROMONZI
ZIMBABWE’S war of liberation raged for nearly 14 years.
Its major motivation was to reclaim land that had been appropriated by the minority white settler regime.
The war might have left deep scars but it also left a burning desire for a better future.
Some of the men and women who took part in the liberation struggle are once again in the trenches, but this time fighting for economic independence and prosperity. A group of war veterans in Goromonzi district, Mashonaland East province, are working miracles on the land.
Blueland Cooperative chairperson Cde Tendai Mangwiro
Operating under the Blueland Cooperative, a growing agri-business enterprise, they are actively fighting poverty and hunger while promoting sustainable livelihoods within their community.
Several income-generating projects, notably fisheries, are gradually transforming lives in the area.
In February, the cooperative got the nod from the Government to exploit water resources in Atlanta Dam through fish production. Recently, they received 10 000 tilapia fingerlings from the Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Department, which falls under the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.
Blueland Cooperative chairperson Cde Tendai Mangwiro (68) said the war veterans felt they had more to offer the country after helping deliver independence.
“In 2021, we felt that although we did a lot for Zimbabwe during the war, we still had something that we needed to leave for our youths as a long-lasting legacy,” he told The Sunday Mail recently.
“We fought for political independence and now we want our youths to become economically independent, utilising our God-given resources like water.”
Cde Mangwiro, whose Chimurenga name was Joe Hazviore, operated in the Manica Sector under Commander Tonderai Nyika (the late national hero, Major-General Paradzai Zimondi).
At independence, he joined the Zimbabwe Republic Police, where he worked until retirement in 2001.
“The stories we tell about Chimurenga are to ensure that we give the youths the background of how we repossessed our land from the enemy,” he continued.
“Now, we are fighting a new warfare, which is economic; one that requires close collaboration.” Zimbabweans, he said, must take advantage of the abundant economic opportunities available in the country, which were a preserve of a few before independence.
“As a cooperative, we heeded the call, and we will make sure that no dam or water body is left unproductive.
“We are already in the process of venturing into robust cage fish farming in the same water body for quick returns.”
Cage fish farming involves raising fish in a large net enclosure suspended in a body of water, like a lake or river.
The cage itself is typically made of a floating frame with strong netting attached. The netting allows for the free flow of water, which is crucial in providing oxygen to the fish and removing waste products.
The mesh retains the fish, making it easier to feed, observe and harvest in a short space of time.
“This dam has to generate money through controlled fishing and selling,” added Cde Mangwiro.
The cooperative also plans to transform the area surrounding the dam into a recreational spot.
“We also want it to be a centre of entertainment, with visitors paying a nominal entrance fee to spend memorable moments here,” he continued.
“We want to offer boat cruises, braai and fishing competitions.”
The money generated from the enterprise, he said, will go towards developing the local community.
Further, crocodile farming is being considered.
“We have already made some inquiries on how we will go about it and soon we will be completing the process,” he said.
The war veterans have also roped in local women and youths into the cooperative.
“For the continuity of our projects, our membership is not limited to war veterans only,” he said.
“We are just torchbearers, but we have youths and women among us.
“With them, we are targeting to have at least two fishponds at every local household to lessen pressure on the dam.”
The cooperative so far has nine members who are all war veterans.
It recently successfully applied for a permit to enter into a joint venture with Irvine’s to produce poultry under the newly formed East Farm Chickens Enterprise.
“We have acquired Mukweni Farm, which is close to the Shamva turnoff, where we have many fowl runs that can accommodate close to one million birds at one go.
“We decided to enter into a joint venture framework to secure a ready market for our produce.”
ZANU PF Mashonaland East province vice chairperson Cde Kudzai Majuru applauded the war veterans for their visionary initiative.
“It is clear that this initiative is not driven by selfishness since it is being done for the whole community.
“I applaud them for continuing to preach the gospel of unity in the province so that we achieve the President’s vision of an upper middle-income economy by 2030.” The Blueland Cooperative is a model for other communities and a testament to the effectiveness of collaborative efforts between citizens and the Government.
With their unwavering spirit and the resourcefulness honed during the war, this group of war veterans is employing the same tenacity and strategic thinking to ensure the cooperative’s and community’s continued success.
With Zimbabwe set to celebrate and commemorate the attainment of freedom and independence in 1980, the struggle has, however, decidedly shifted to the economic front, with the Second Republic now focused on lifting people out of poverty into prosperity.
