FORMER Malawi president, Dr Joyce Banda visited Zimbabwe for a groundbreaking ceremony for a community project targeting hundreds of villagers in Hwange’s Msuna area along the Zambezi River.
The Southern African Development Initiators (SADI), invited Banda to learn from similar Joyce Banda foundation projects that she is involved in, that target Malawian women, girls and the less-privileged.
Msuna is located on the mouth of the Deka River where it joins the Zambezi River in Hwange district.
Climate change has affected livelihoods of hundreds of villagers who used to depend on fishing before the pools dried up, and are now slowly venturing into horticulture and citrus production as alternative economic activities.
SADI will set up fish ponds while land has been identified for a pilot irrigation project for the community.
Banda was welcomed by Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Richard Moyo at Victoria Falls International Airport in the morning before touring the Victoria Falls in the afternoon.
Media personality, Zaza, who was the Master of Ceremonies at the event wrote:
I had the privilege of being the Master of Ceremonies for the Southern African Development Initiators and double up as a journalist reporting on the Former President of Malawi Her Excellency @drjoycebanda. Getting that exclusive interview was amazing. She is such an eloquent and powerful speaker. And i love the way she interacted with the ladies in Musuna Village in Hwange. @bashupizim thank you for the music. You made it exciting for us. #Siyabangena #Sibahle #Siyabusa #Asilwisiyasebenza #NdexNewsBae
Speaking at the airport, Banda said:
“We are here in Victoria Falls on the invitation of the Southern Africa Development Initiators.
It’s a pleasure for me to be back in the country that I consider home as well.
It’s a beautiful country.
It’s my calling whether I am in Malawi, Zambia or Zimbabwe, I am at home. But I am truly grateful that I was invited.”
