Zimbabwe: Reviving Ward 19 Through Community-Led

Anastasia Tendai Manyani is the Councillor for Ward 19 in Silobela, Kwekwe District, and has witnessed first-hand the challenges faced by women and youth in her community. Food insecurity, unemployment, and limited economic opportunities had long affected households, while fertile land lay idle due to the absence of structured agricultural activity or organized community leadership. Many residents, especially youth, did not realize that the very soil beneath their feet could transform their lives. Even Anastasia herself was not aware of the benefits of the utilisation of the God given natural resources until her association with Gender Links at a local economic development workshop which ignited her passion for economic empowerment and development. 

Determined to change this, she initiated a community gardening project that would empower women and young people through practical skills, improved food production, and new sources of income. The first step was establishing a project committee structure that brought organization, inclusive leadership, and accountability to a ward that had not previously had a formal system for agricultural development. This committee quickly became the cornerstone of community efforts, coordinating activities, organizing regular meetings, and ensuring that everyone had a voice in planning and decision-making. 

The councillor sort for resources from well-wishers and provided seeds and seedlings and facilitated training sessions focusing on sustainable gardening practices, soil and water management, crop rotation, and basic agribusiness principles to community members. These lessons opened minds and helped participants see agriculture in a new light. The community began to understand that farming was not simply a survival strategy but a real economic opportunity. Reflecting on the transformation, Anastasia had this to say;  

“This project has revived Ward 19 where there was once idle land and little hope, we now see thriving gardens, confident youth, and empowered women where people are exchanging money for vegetables proving that our soil can sustain livelihoods, the ward is alive again, and it all started with community-led action.” In addition the youth embraced the project with enthusiasm where Brian Musveveregwa shared that the initiative had changed his outlook completely: “Joining the garden taught me more than farming it gave me purpose, I’ve learned skills I can use for life, and I’m proud to contribute to my household.” 

For many women, the project was a turning point. With newfound knowledge and access to resources, they began to grow enough vegetables not only for their households but also for sale. Mrs. Mubayiwa, one of the active participants, expressed her gratitude: “Before this project, I didn’t know the soil in my backyard could feed my family or earn me money. Now, I sell vegetables at the market every week and my children are eating better than ever.” 

Visible changes have been visible in every corner of Ward 19 where gardens now flourish in the once bare land. Households have improved diets, food costs have decreased, and many families now earn income from selling surplus produce. The regular meetings introduced through the project strengthened social ties, encouraged collaboration, and built confidence among beneficiaries. The initiative became more than agriculture it became a symbol of unity, resilience, and community-driven transformation. 

To ensure sustainability, the councillor formed project committee which continues to coordinate seasonal planning, monitor progress, and promote peer-to-peer learning. The community is adopting crop diversification and exploring water-efficient irrigation methods to adapt to changing climate conditions. Partnerships with agricultural extension officers and local markets are being strengthened to enhance technical support and create economic opportunities. The growth of horticultural projects had spurred interest from neighbouring wards who are now battling to match the developments.  

The evidence of change is clear and well recorded with minutes of meetings, training attendance registers, and seed distribution records which shows increased participation and structured planning. The councillor has a collection of photographs which captured community leaders attending agronomy training, women harvesting their produce, and the flourishing garden displaying its abundance. These visuals, taken by Julius Majuta, have become powerful tools for advocacy. Testimonies from beneficiaries reinforce the success of the initiative and the meaningful impact it has had on their livelihoods. 

Through collective effort, Ward 19 has transformed into a model of community-led development. The project has proven that empowerment begins at the grassroots level and that ordinary people can spark extraordinary progress when given the tools, support, and space to participate. What was once idle land now feeds families, generates income, builds confidence, and sustains hope. 

By Anastasia Tendai Manyan, Zimbabwe