The Minister of Energy and Power Development, Honourable July Moyo, yesterday commissioned the 18-kilometre Mangezi-Mukunza Electrification Project in Ward 3, Nyanga North Constituency. The ceremony marked the successful completion of Phases 1 and 2 of the larger Fombe Large Anchor Project, spearheaded by the Rural Electrification Fund (REF). The commissioning brings conventional grid electricity to previously unserved communities, aligning with the government’s vision to leave no one and no place behind.
The completed phases, which commenced in 2023, have brought a transformative change to the area. Key institutions now connected include Mangezi, Mukunza, and Kazozo Primary Schools, Kazozo Secondary School, and the Mukunza Rural Health Centre. Furthermore, local commerce has received a major impetus with the electrification of the Mangezi, Mukunza, and Kazozo Business Centres. This comprehensive approach ensures that education, health, and economic activity are simultaneously uplifted.
Speaking at the commissioning, Minister Moyo underscored the project’s role in the government’s rural industrialisation drive. “The coming of electricity is a game-changer,” he stated. “It offers opportunities for economic development, allowing villagers to run various projects such as welding, grinding mills, and new business ventures like battery charging stations and internet cafes.” Beneficiaries echoed this sentiment, with one resident noting the critical impact on the local clinic, where pregnant mothers can now receive better-lit care, and another expressing joy that children can now learn Information and Communication Technology (ICT) like their urban counterparts.
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Acting CEO, Mrs. Felista Makumbinde, confirmed that the electrification programme aims to connect all rural areas in the province by 2030. The success of the Mangezi-Mukunza project moves this target closer to reality.
The focus now shifts to Phase 3 of the Fombe Large Anchor Project, which will concentrate on electrifying remaining public institutions in the Fombe area of Ward 1. This ongoing investment by the government, through REF, demonstrates an unwavering commitment to achieving universal access to sustainable modern energy services.