Story by Mhlomuli Ncube
Fishing rigs unveiled by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Binga last April as part of government’s empowerment drive have become a transformative tool in the Zambezi Valley.
The motorised boats prospecting for fish and Kapenta along the Zambezi River have turned a once subsistence practise into a viable business venture.
From hand to mouth, prospecting is now a commercialised entity where participants are earning a living.
A beneficiary told the ZBC News, “We are managing to earn a living, fend for our families and continue going on with life.’’
Another beneficiary noted, ‘‘We thank His Excellency President Mnangagwa for these fishing rigs. We don’t beg anyone for money or food.’’
A fisherman known by the name Tariro said, ‘‘We are able to send our children to school, build our homes and this is full time employment for us.’’
While the Zambezi River has always been a source of livelihood for locals the commercialisation of fishing activities is a massive improvement for a tradition passed from generation to generation among the Tonga people.
A resident said, ‘‘We have been empowered in our all-time tradition. We thank President Mnangagwa for all this great work.’’
There are 50 youths and 50 women fishing at Simatelele and Chilila areas with the respective groups employing crews of up to 20 each.
What started as a vision to empower locals along the banks of the Zambezi River has now become a practical empowerment tool confirming the Second Republic’s agenda of leaving no one and no place behind in the development matrix.
