The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Reporter
NYANGA South Member of Parliament, Cde Supa Mandiwanzira (Zanu-PF) believes he has worked diligently to bring development to his constituency in fulfilment of promises he made to his constituents in the run-up to the 2013 election.
Cde Mandiwanzira says he has represented Nyanga South with distinction.
“My focus since 2013 was on four areas, one of which is education. I assisted schools in building ECD blocks and that was the time Government was pushing for the establishment ECDs as an integral part of the learning process in primary schools.
“I also provided library books in schools and promoted sport in schools through the provision of requisite equipment. I am satisfied the five years have been put to good use. Last Saturday we were at St Michael’s Nyanzou where an ECD block is being built. I have also joined hands with Johane Marange Apostolic Church and I am assisting in the construction of classroom blocks.
“I have intervened in so many schools. At Magarati I worked with other partners to construct proper classroom blocks. The school had pole and dagga classrooms. I have also intervened at St Mary’s Magadaline and Marist Brothers with the construction of new sporting fields, sewerage ponds and roads leading to their gates. We have constructed sporting grounds at almost every school in the constituency and the same goes to the provision of computers at schools that are electrified,” said Cde Mandiwanzira.
He has also made some interventions in the health sector.
“I also intervened in health related issues. We constructed Bende community health access post, which was a huge relief for people in that area. Several other clinics are at various stages of construction in Wards 18, 22 and 24. We have also facilitated free medical outreach programmes that have helped a lot of people. Doctors have come down here to treat people with different ailments for free.
“In agriculture, I rendered support through provision of mini irrigation infrastructure, establishment of community gardens and provision of inputs to compliment similar Government empowerment initiatives. “We have also sought to provide viable markets for onions that were being taken by middlemen from Harare and Bulawayo for a song. We have made efforts to help expedite Command fisheries,” he said.
Cde Mandiwanzira said his construction company was refurbishing infrastructure in the constituency.
He has also availed his machinery and equipment to rehabilitate roads in the constituency.
“There is really not much to talk about on issues I was vocal on in Parliament because I am a Minister. Unlike the backbenchers who ask different questions and advocate for various developmental initiatives, my task is mainly to spell out Government position on raised matters.
“I made a point that we should improve communication and connectivity systems and community information centres in rural areas,” said Cde Mandiwanzira.
Cde Mandiwanzira has also facilitated a training workshop for road runner producers in the constituency. The chickens will be commercially produced, and more than 10 000 birds were handed over to successful trainees.
But not everyone is happy with his progress and constituents that talked to The Manica Post gave different summations of how the legislator has acquitted himself since being elected into office.
The MP made a number of developmental promises, some of which have been executed while others have not — drawing both praises and condemnation from the electorate.
While some have hailed Cde Mandiwanzira, who is also the Minister of Information, Communication and Technology and Courier Services, for a sterling job, others have derided him for doing nothing to advance development in the area.
Mr Tedious Chinyowa, of Nyamhuka (Ward 29) singled out two drum litter bins installed at Nyamhuka bus terminus as the only notable thing done by the MP.
Mr Chinyowa said the MP’s other community related interventions were through music gigs often hosted at Nyamhuka township.
“In Ward 29 we had so much love for the MP and we expected a lot from him on the basis of his 2013 election manifesto. We are disappointed that he only managed to give us two drum litter bins at Nyamhuka bus terminus.
“He made tall promises during his campaign in 2013, among them the construction of a stadium after Dongo Sawmills FC had gained promotion into the premiership. He also promised to provide 50x50kg cement to construct a vendor mart slab. Most of these promises were never fulfilled. We often have presenters from Zi-FM who host musical gigs at Nyamhuka but people are fed up and shunning them now,” said Mr Chinyowa.
Mr Tendai Nyagope, of Ward 27, which covers London Stores and Bronsebury, said Cde Mandiwanzira made numerous unfulfilled promises.
“I am from Ward 27 where he made many promises that he never fulfilled. In 2013 when he was campaigning, we had a clinic project that needed assistance. The MP said he had the capacity to get partners to have it done. He only returned some three weeks ago telling us that the donors had let him down and was working on a plan to find new partners. He is selling us another dummy because the 2018 election is around the corner,” said Mr Nyagope.
Mrs Mirriam Nyakunu also derided the musical gigs.
“If you check, they will be playing music without anyone. That is not what the people need. They just make noise at the shops. We loved him, but his conduct left us wondering if we voted for him to bring noise in our area,” she said.
However the other half of the divide believes Cde Mandiwanzira has done his best so far.
Mr Clifford Manyau, of Ward 25 said: “I have no complaints against Cde Mandiwanzira. He did his part and we are grateful for that.
He was visible on the ground since 2013. He assisted in different ways. Sawmills in Nyanga South appreciates the kind of help rendered by the MP. He also did his best to improve the state of the roads,” he said.
Mrs Chipo Mutasa of Ward 27 said the MP assisted towards the construction of an ECD block at St Michael Nyanzou Primary School.
“I need to be honest and say the good things he has done. Cde Mandiwanzira has helped us, and there are a number of tangible projects that he initiated, for example the ECD block at St Michael Nyanzou Primary, was a product of his sweat and we appreciate that,” said Mrs Mutasa.
Mr Enock Mandikonza said Cde Mandiwanzira made some tall promises that were clearly beyond his reach as an individual.
“I think the MP performed very well. He has managed what other MPs failed to do in their areas.
His major undoing is that in 2013, he made a number of tall promises and some of us knew they were unattainable. This is what is haunting him as people measure what he has actually done against the initial promises. People are justified to rate him against what he promised them,” he said.
We give Cde Supa Mandiwanzira an 8/10
