- Pan-African philanthropist Strive Masiyiwa has completed a 100kW solar power project at Ndolwane in Bulilima district, through his โRe-Imagine Ruralโ initiative.
Masiyiwa broke the news on his Facebook blog, where he stated: โThere is a place in rural Zimbabwe called Ndolwane. It is in a part of the country known as Matabeleland. We chose it as the first site of our โRe-Imagine Rural Ugesi Minigridsโ.
โWe built a 100kW solar power plant at its small business centre. It now provides power to 70 small businesses, residents and other activities.
According to Masiyiwa, some are using the power to irrigate market gardens to sell vegetables, while others are โplanning to do a major poultry business using its power. We are expanding its power line grid to eventually reach a 10km radiusโ.
Masiyiwa continued: โWe have just bought our own water drilling rig and as soon as it arrives we plan to drill deep well boreholes in places like Ndolwane, where it is dry. It will help communities with market gardening and water for their cattle.โ
Ugesi Minigrids has 10 other sites being built around the country. The aim of the organisation is to transform rural communities with cost-effective, reliable solar power.
โThis is my vision of how rural Africa can be Re-Imagined. My vision has drawn a lot of interest outside Zimbabwe.
โSeveral global philanthropists have asked for presentations on how this model can be used in other African countries. This really excites me,โ said Masiyiwa.
โEven with the pandemic, we are still Re-Imagining. It might slow us down, but it will never stop us.
Author: Pamela Largue
This article was originally published on ESI Africa and is republished with permission with minor editorial changes.
2 Comments
Excellnet work well done. Please email your contact details as we are involved similar iniatives in Zambia, Namibia and Botswana
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