Shabula villagers take initiative to rehabilitate Old Victoria-Falls road

Thembelihle Mhlanga

Shabula, Zimbabwe – In a bold move, villagers from Shabula have taken it upon themselves to rehabilitate the Old Victoria Falls road, which has been in disrepair since its decommissioning in 1964.

The road, which connects the village to the Lupane Business Centre, is crucial for the villagers’ access to basic commodities.

Proportional Representation Councillor Thulisani Nkomo expressed that as a community they have decided to take matters into their own hands and rehabilitate the road as it is essential in their daily lives.

“We can’t rely on the government to do everything for us. As a community, we must take ownership of our development,” he said.

The villagers, who have already started clearing the road and filling potholes, are determined to see the project through to completion.

One villager, Sithabile Ncube shared that they are doing it for their children and future generations, something which also serves as an example of how much change can occur when communities are determined to develop their communities.

“We can’t afford to wait for the government to fix our road. We must take action ourselves,” she shared.

The Old Victoria Falls road was decommissioned by the then Ministry of Roads in 1964, leaving the villagers with a longer and more arduous route to the Lupane Business Centre.

“It’s a struggle to access basic necessities like food, medicine, and education,” said Dumisani Nyoni, another villager. “But with this road rehabilitated, our lives will become much easier.”

Councillor Nkomo further emphasized the importance of community-led initiatives.

“This project shows that we, as a community, can achieve great things when we work together. We are not just waiting for handouts from the government. We are taking charge of our own development.”

The villagers are calling on the government to support their initiative and provide resources to complete the rehabilitation of the road.

“We are not asking for much,” said Councillor Nkomo. “Just a little support to help us complete this project and improve our lives.”

As the villagers continue their hard work, they remain hopeful that their efforts will pay off and the Old Victoria Falls road will once again be a vital lifeline for the community.