Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Thupeyo Muleya, thupeyo.muleya@zimpapers.co.zw
STAKEHOLDERS in Beitbridge have called on community members to prioritise the construction of climate-resilient buildings to mitigate the effects of the erratic weather patterns.
Over the past five years, climate-induced disasters have displaced villagers, reduced learning facilities in schools and extensively damaged houses, classroom blocks, bridges and health facilities. Although Beitbridge has reported few fatalities, the financial and social toll has been significant.
Mr Jahson Mugodzwa, the focal person for civil protection in the District Development Co-ordinator’s office, said there is a need to adopt infrastructure designed to withstand extreme weather conditions.
“We have experienced numerous disasters linked to changing weather patterns across the district. It’s high time we started building climate-resilient infrastructure to minimise these effects,” he said.
He noted that adopting such measures, common in other countries, would protect key infrastructure, particularly schools, roads and bridges.
A local development worker Mr Liberty Masilinge urged community leaders to advocate for updated building codes and designs tailored to withstand storms and strong winds.
“Since adopting new plans maybe costly, the community can implement them gradually. We need to innovate and build better to avoid recurring seasonal damages. Areas like Mtetengwe and Dumba have faced these challenges repeatedly. Let’s act now,” he said.
World Vision Zimbabwe has already invested US$33 000 in constructing a climate-resilient classroom block at Tshaswingo Primary School in Beitbridge East.
World Vision Zimbabwe manager for the Matibe cluster, Mrs Pretty Dube, highlighted the importance of the initiative.
“The buildings at some of the oldest schools have been affected by wear and tear and climate-related disasters. Our use of steel fabrication for classrooms in Tshaswingo and Fula will ensure durability and resistance to hailstorms but the costs to put up such infrastructure is relatively higher, ” she said.
The organisation has also upgraded water and sanitation facilities to align with the Government’s vision of creating child-friendly schools.
Beitbridge East legislator, Cde Albert Nguluvhe, welcomed the move towards climate-resilient infrastructure saying it was long overdue.
“Designing infrastructure to withstand and recover from extreme weather events will save resources in the long run. This is a necessary step to address socio-economic challenges and other disruptions,” he said.
The urgency of adopting resilient infrastructure was underscored by recent rains accompanied by strong winds that destroyed property worth thousands of dollars in wards five, six and 14 under the Beitbridge Rural District Council area.
Crops, irrigation systems, and rooftops in areas such as Tshapfutshe, Old Nuli, Shabwe, Giraffe, Ha Bishopstone, Lusindi, Ha Mabidi, and Muzingwani were extensively damaged.
Beitbridge Agricultural Extension Officer, Mr Masseuse Mocha, said wards six and 14 were the worst affected, with farmers counting significant losses.
A team from the Beitbridge District Civil Protection Committee has been dispatched to assess the damages and provide assistance.
