By Wedza Citizen Journalist
Residents of Wedza District in Zimbabwe are facing a dire situation as a climate-induced drought ravages the region, leaving crops withered and prospects for agricultural yields bleak.
Subsistence farmers, who heavily rely on natural rains for their livelihoods, are grappling with moisture stress, signaling a looming food crisis in the area.
The severity of the situation has pushed many residents, particularly those living below the poverty line, into a state of despair.
With crops wilting beyond the point of recovery even if rains were to arrive, panic buying of grain has ensued, exacerbating the demand and causing prices to skyrocket. The cost of maize, a staple food, has doubled to a minimum of US$10 per bucket from US$10.
In interviews conducted with Wedza residents, sentiments vary on the potential outcomes and solutions.
Clemency Mapako, the chairperson of the ZANU PF District Coordinating Committee (DCC) for Wedza district, expressed confidence in government intervention.
“The ZANU PF government has always ensured each and everyone in the district does not starve,” he said.
He assured residents that the ZANU PF government is committed to ensuring that no one starves, citing forthcoming food distribution efforts and government stockpiles to feed the populace.
However, Kundishora Govha, a resident of Mushangwe village in Wedza North constituency, holds a more skeptical view.
He points to the government’s past failures to adequately address hunger even in times of relative stability, suggesting that relying solely on government assistance may not be sufficient.
Govha advocates for the involvement of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to supplement government efforts in mitigating hunger in communities.
Pamela Chimedza, an artisanal miner in Wedza, predicted a shift in livelihood strategies as residents seek alternative means of survival.
Chimedza anticipates an influx of people, including school children, into the artisanal mining sector, raising concerns about increased vulnerability to exploitation and abuse, particularly among young girls.
“I am pretty sure that even school children are going to drop out of school to seek survival in artisanal gold mining,” she said.
In contrast, Steven Kwashirai, a pastor with Awake Ministries, encouraged residents to maintain faith amidst the crisis.
Kwashirai urged resilience and steadfastness, urging residents to rely on God’s providence rather than solely on human interventions.
“I urge the people of Wedza to neither look East nor West for survival, but to look towards God and God alone,” said Kwashirai.
As Wedza District grapples with the looming threat of hunger and economic instability, diverse perspectives highlight the complexities of addressing the crisis and the need for comprehensive and collaborative efforts from both government and non-governmental entities to alleviate the suffering of the affected population.
