Shurugwi (New Ziana) -Former Independent legislator for Norton constituency, Temba Mliswa, who was recently installed headman, has come up with an ambitious 90-day development program which is expected to turn his village into an agriculture hub, resulting in employment creation and food sel-sufficinency.
Speaking during his installation in ward five Shurugwi South, Mliswa said the project will be the envy of many as it will be a development model throughout the country.
He said the next three months will be a defining moment for the area, with the initiative expected to spill over to surrounding villages and the whole Shurugwi South constituency.
Apart from employment and food, the project will also provide solar power and piped borehole water to villagers.
“We have so far put-up solar panels meant to support one hectare drip irrigation and drilled nine boreholes, which in three months’ time will be supporting a hectare each under drip irrigation,” he said.
“This area will become a green belt through horticulture and people will come here to buy various agricultural produce we will grow cabbages, butternuts, potatoes, green vegetables and other vegetables,” he said.
Besides monetary benefits, Mliswa said people will have tap water at their homes and will no longer travel for the precious liquid.
He said he was leaving no stone unturned and has already built a house for a resident agronomist and purchased a motorcycle for him.
“I am a development-oriented workhorse. The development I undertook in Hurungwe West and Norton Constituencies will manifest here as I used to pump at least US$150 000 for development initiatives, which I now intend to channel here,” he said.
Also a former legislator for Hurungwe West before he moved to Norton, Mliswa allayed fears among councilors and legislators, some who tried to block his ascendency to headman that he was not interested in their positions.
“I was an MP before and I think I did well in executing my duties. I no longer want to be an MP but I want development for this area,” he said.
Mliswa, who said he is still a member of Zanu-PF, warned politicians who take positions through deceit and vote buying, saying he supports President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision and will rally behind the ruling party.
“I have never at any time left Zanu PF but was expelled. Even if a father banishes his son, his bloodline and DNA do not change. I have always stood by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.”
His installation did not go without incident as some officials in the Ministry of Local Government had conspired with certain politicians to block it.
“I have not taken this position because I am power hungry but because I am heir apparent,” he said.
Mliswa takes over the reins from his niece Maria who had been in acting capacity.
His installation last week by Chief Banga marks the return of his family to the rein after his grandfather Sixpence Mliswa who held the position until his death in 1964.
