Stephen Chadenga
Chinese mining giant Chengxi Chengetai Investments has boosted service delivery and community sports development after donating solar powered street lights to a local authority and a mini-bus to Shurugwi Football Club.
The donations were handed over on Monday to Shurugwi Town Council and Shurugwi Football Club respectively, as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility programmes.
Speaking Monday at the hand-over ceremony of 25 solar powered lights and the mini-bus, Chengxi director Simon Karimanzira said the event demonstrated partnership, shared responsibility and the firm’s collective commitment to a safer, prosperous and “more inclusive Shurugwi.”
“The streetlights being handed over today are the first 25 units from our commitment to provide 100 solar powered streetlights,”Karimanzira said.
“Street lighting is more than infrastructure. It is a public safety intervention, an economic development initiative and an investment in the dignity of the community. Well lit streets improve visibility, road safety and security while allowing residents and businesses to operate more confidently after sunset.”
Karimanzira said the solar technology initiative, which is part of a consignment worth US$100 000 to Shurugwi council, supported government’s call for cleaner, climate smart and sustainable energy solutions.
He said the mini-bus valued at US$45 000, donated to ZIFA central region division one outfit, Shurugwi Football Club, was a commitment to youth and grassroots sports development.
“The donation of a bus to Shurugwi FC reflects our commitment to youth development and grassroots sport,”he said.
“Sport promotes discipline, team work, well being, social cohesion and community pride. We trust that this bus will reduce logistical challenges and allow players to travel safely and reliably.”
The Chengxi boss said community development was at the heart of the company’s corporate strategy whose social responsibility programmes cover health, education, agriculture, community infrastructure, environmental protection, youth development, grassroots sport and livelihood initiatives.
Karimanzira said the mining firm was aiming at supporting high impact projects that reach many people as well as creating lasting value.
“Our vision includes agricultural demonstration units, climate smart farming, mushroom production, fish farming and other household projects,”said Karimanzira.
“We are also exploring support for a modernized market place for small businesses in Shurugwi. These initiatives are intended to strengthen food security, diversify incomes and support local enterprise.”
Guest speaker at the event, Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister Owen Ncube applauded Chengxi’s donations and said they were in line with the company’s comprehensive US$2 million corporate social investment programme covering construction of a dam for the Shurugwi community, construction and furnishing of the Shurugwi district hospital extension, complete with doctors and nurses’ accommodation, market centre and village business units.
“Today’s (Monday’s) event demonstrates Chengxi’s robust people-centric empowerment initiatives implemented in the Midlands province and Shurugwi in particular covering the health, education, small to medium enterprises and mining sectors showcased through construction of Zanu PF party offices, construction of a hostel at Shurugwi district hospital mortuary, rehabilitation of roads in the Midlands province, drilling of boreholes for communities in Shurugwi, establishment of village business units, donation of mining claims and equipment to artisanal miners and establishment of the first community milling plant,”said Ncube.
Ncube said solar street lights improved public lighting and safety for commuters and businesses while the mini-bus was an investment in young people, sport and community development.
“I encourage the players, technical team and leadership to refrain from drug and substance abuse and aim to earn a place in the premier league,”he said.
He urged other corporates to emulate Chengxi social responsibility programmes and develop communities in the Midlands.