SYDNEY MUBAIWA
MASVINGO-Villagers in Masvingo Central Constituency under Chief Murinye have benefited from prominent Masvingo business mogul Philimon Mutangiri’s corporate social responsibility programmes which include road rehabilitation, borehole drilling and electrifying schools and their homes.
Inspired by President Mnangagwa’s “Nyika Inovakwa Nevene vayo” concept, Mutangiri connected electricity and running water at Daitai Primary and Secondary School, Uzeze Primary School and assisted in the construction of Mashenjere Clinic.
The business mogul has rehabilitated the Topora – Chatikobo road which has witnessed a fatal crash resulting in the death of 9 people and over 60 injured after a Chikozho bus ‘s breaking system failed while descending a steep slope near Topora Business Centre in 2025.
Villagers who spoke to The Midweek Watch thanked Mutangiri for his generosity.
Ward 15 Councillor Charles Ambrose Parirenyatwa Chiwariro said the businessman also connected electricity at every household in the ward and provided water at Mashenjere Clinic, which is the biggest in Murinye communal area.
“We want to thank Mr Mutangiri for the good work that he is doing for us as Murinye community. He regularly repairs the Topora-Chatikobo road, and also provided electricity at every household in Ward 14 and 15.
“The electrification and borehole drilling projects across Murinye exemplifies his commitment in uplifting the livelihoods of people in his community.
“We want to thank him for all these projects. As you can see, the Topora- Chatikobo road has been rehabilitated, motorists are experiencing good driving and we want to applaud him for the generous gesture,” he said.
A village head, Joshua Ndemo commended the impact projects spearheaded by Mutangiri across Murinye communal lands.
“Thousands of people have benefited from the electricity supply lines connected to their homes.
“They also benefited from borehole drilling programmes and a big number has started to use water for irrigation farming.
“We are very happy that Mr Mutangiri has constructed a school in our community, this development will witness a change in the education and academic excellence of our children. As community leaders, we thank him for coming up with the project which we feel is a plough back to the community,” he said.
He said Mutangiri has pledged to support over 30 pupils from the community under his bursary.
Teachers at Daitai Secondary School applauded Mutangiri’s corporate responsibility initiatives highlighting their impact in uplifting the community.
“He electrified the whole school and drilled a solar- powered borehole at the school. Before the borehole was drilled, we walked for about 5km to fetch water in Chirasha. We can now do agricultural projects using the water.
“These high impact projects have increased our pass rate because we now have a computer lab and this has also helped us in terms of enrolment,” said the school deputy head.
She said Mutangiri has pledged to install flash toilets.
The businessman also assisted the community through providing roofing materials at Daitai Primary School and installing a solar- powered borehole.
Villagers who spoke to The Midweek Watch whilst seeking medical treatment at Mashenjere Clinic said their lives have been transformed through Mutangiri’s support.
“This clinic was constructed through his assistance. He donated money to pay builders and brick moulding. Before this clinic was constructed, villagers used to walk for more than 10 km to seek health care services at Morgenster Hospital, Shonganiso and Rukovo clinics,” said Stellar Moyo.
The clinic which was completed in 2020, has four nursing staff and a maternity ward.
The Mashenjere Clinic saves more than 6 000 villagers.
In an interview with The Midweek Watch, Mutangiri said he will continue to prioritise corporate social responsibility initiatives in the area.
“I will continue doing such projects in the area, I was driven by the desire to see my community prosper. I don’t have any other motives behind the whole developments. Our area has been lagging behind in terms of infrastructure development and this triggered me to start projects which sustain the community,” he said.
