Victoria Falls Highway Rehabilitation Creates 300+ Jobs,Benefits Local Communities
BULAWAYO,ZIMBABWE – The ongoing rehabilitation of the 435-kilometre Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road has already generated more than 300 direct employment opportunities for local residents,wiht a meaningful focus on empowering women and delivering lasting community benefits,according to officials and contractors involved in the project.
Eight contractors are currently working on 51-kilometre sections of the vital tourism and trade corridor. The project prioritizes local engagement, providing employment and implementing initiatives designed to improve the lives of residents along the route.
Syvern Construction project manager Arnold Mutungwazi stated that his team employs 144 workers, 75% of whom are local. he added, “Along with employment, we have constructed a detour road through the community, which will be handed over for their use after the project is completed.”
Masimba Construction project manager Blessing Nhau reported that 50% of their 74-member workforce is local, with 25% being women. “We are not just focusing on the core road works but also investing in people-centered projects,” Nhau said. “So far, we have drilled two boreholes that will remain community property.Our site office will be donated for conversion into a maintenance unit for the Transport Ministry.”
Kudakwashe Maguta, head of operations for Fossil Contractors, confirmed that 30% of their workforce are women and emphasized the company’s commitment to local hiring. Maguta also noted that the company has proactively patched potholes in areas not yet under full rehabilitation to improve traffic flow.
Tensor Systems engineer Gerald Mutume added that 20 of their 49 staff members are locally sourced.
The combined efforts of these and other companies working along the highway are estimated to have created over 300 jobs, with additional economic benefits flowing to local businesses and services through employee wages.
The road upgrade is expected to substantially enhance Zimbabwe‘s key tourism artery and leave a positive, long-term socio-economic impact on the communities it serves.
