Build a structure to symbolise black granite – MNCDT
Mutoko North Community development Trust (MNCDT) on behalf of the entire community has raised a concern that investment within their community must lead to the construction of a granite building in Mutoko centre acting as a symbol for community prosperity and heritage purposes.
Mirirai Melissa Ngoya
Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe Eveline Kutyauripo from the MNCDT had this to say: “ I grew up whilst mining operations were already in existence in the Mutoko area. Surprisingly from 1972 up to date, there is no structure that symbolizes our black granite mineral in the Mutoko area.”
“As investment is coming our way we look forward to the government to first invest the mineral in the community for the benefit of the upcoming generations so that we will have a symbol to point out to them since the mountains are being cut and vanishing bit by bit. It is precarious to come up with such artefacts so that it will be easy to tell the forthcoming generations looking on the walls and learn history from our specific minerals”.
Eveline continued on saying “It is a sad note that we see other countries developing big and beautiful buildings whilst here where the mineral is located there is nothing tangible on the ground.”
Adding on Peter Sigauke, Chief Executive Officer of the Mutoko Rural District Council said “We don’t see economic and social benefits. Black granite has been mined since 1972, and the mining companies are not building any infrastructure.”
As mining activities are continuing within the Mutoko communities and mountains being razed down, it is of great importance that the government of Zimbabwe together with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development join hands and come up with methods and means of coming up with a historical infrastructure constructed with black granite stones which will act as a historical symbol for future purposes as well as an income generator for the community as this if done right may create a tourist attraction.