ASHER MOYO
CHIMANIMANI-A group of 25 Mutare Polytechnic students from Chimanimani are now producing quality furniture at their workshop following a modern machinery donation from the Government of India through the Indo-Zim projects.
The Chimanimani donations by the Government of India is part of 17 modern carpentry machineries which were delivered across the country.
Beneficiaries of the programme are short courses graduates from Mutare Polytechnic.
The college has enrolled close to 500 students in Chimanimani in various disciplines which include carpentry, welding, brick laying among other practical courses.
In an interview some of the beneficiaries said the modern machinery which was sourced by the Government has improved their lives and they are now benefiting locals who used to transport timber and processing it outside the district.
“We used to work manually but now work is now easy and smooth since we received these modern machines. We are also now producing quality furniture which also means we are increasing our revenue.
“This development has expanded our customer base from Chimanimani and beyond. The fact that some of the students are enrolled by the college without worrying about academic qualifications benefits the disadvantaged youths who are afforded a chance to obtain a professional qualification against all odds,” said Tulani Sithole one of Mutare Polytechnic graduates.
Indian ambassador to Zimbabwe His Excellency, Vijay Khanduja who visited the Chimanimani site on Tuesday last week implored the community to maximise on the opportunity to enhance their livelihoods.
“The Government of India has distributed similar machinery to 17 centers across the country. This is one such centre where I have witnessed first hand full utilisation of the machines towards promoting small and medium enterprises for the local community.
“These developments show the positive relations between our two Governments where we join hands to improve the livelihoods of our people,” he said.
Speaking during event, implementing partner, Mutare Polytechnic Principal, Poniso Watema revealed plans to decentralise its service to ensure promotion of heritage based learning across the country.
“As an institution we are pushing towards ensuring thatwe promote Government’s education 5.0 policy anchored on heritage based learning so that we unlock all talents regardless of educational qualification.
“We have so far set up technical colleges in Chipinge and Chimanimani but our broad plans are to decentralise our services across Manicaland so that every community member is given a chance to develop a life skill, “she said.
Chimanimani East legislator who is also the deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Joshua Sacco said the intervention speaks to the positive relationship shared between the two countries.
“As Chimanimani we are delighted by the intervention by the Indian Government as this development speaks highly of the positive relationship we share. Our community has been empowered to produce quality furniture and this is highly commendable given that we are a timber producing district,” said Sacco.
