Story of Change: Chimanye Wetland and Weir, Bikita District
A few years ago, Chimanye Wetland in Bikita District ward 15 Museti area under Chief Mazungunye was just 7ha of degraded land. During dry years, the stream flow dried up leaving patched pools. Crops failed. Livestock walked long distance for water. When the El Nino was announced for the 2026 to 2027 agricultural season, fear spread in the community. “What will we eat? Where will the cattle drink?” people asked. The wetland was there, but no one knew how to use it. There was no water control, no training, and little cooperation between neighbours.
The multi sectorial collaboration of community and partners marks the turning point, things began to change. With support from the Government of Zimbabwe agriculture and environment advisory agents (EMA, RDC, Forestry and Agritex), Christian Care and funding from The Charitable Foundation (TCF), the community of Chimanye decided: “We will rehabilitate our wetland ourselves and build a weir downstream.”
The wetland (seven hactares) was successfully rehabilitated. It was a community based participatory approach well aligned with National Environmental Policy. Beyond crops, livestock and income, the wetland recharges groundwater, provides bee forage for honey, reduces erosion and gives a reliable water source for generations.
The Department of Mechanisation housed in Masvingo town approximately 140km from Chimanye came in and trained local builders on weir wall construction. It wasn’t just about stone and cement. It was about mind-set change. For the first time, men, women, and youth sat together, planned together and worked together.
“We learned that if we cooperate, we can solve our own problems, “said one community member (Lazarus Chiswa Chairperson). Today, a strong weir wall is set to stand downstream across Chimanye Wetland. With the weir holding water, the community will now be ready for the projected El Nino in 2026-2027. Even when rains fail, there will be water for gardens and livestock. More than six hectares of land is set to be irrigated benefiting more than one hundred households. That means increased income, vegetables in winter, maize in summer and food on tables all year.
Good coordination and cooperation between the community, government, Christian Care and TCF proved that development works best when we do it together. In the near future Chimanye will no longer wait for relief food. The weir will be more than a wall of stone. It is proof that with training, cooperation and support, a community can turn a wetland into wealth.
Story compiled by Taruberekera RN (Project Officer)