Villagers in Zvishavane no longer have to endure long, exhausting walks to access basic medical care following the completion of Nkatazo Rural Hospital, a landmark development made possible through collaboration between the Government and its development partners. The project has transformed the Sasula area of Zvishavane into a hub of healthcare services, marking a turning point in the fight against rural marginalisation.
For decades, many families in the area endured a painful reality, where distance and limited resources denied them access to timely and adequate healthcare. Today, Nkatazo Rural Hospital, a fully equipped mini-hospital, offers essential services such as maternity care, X-rays, and scans. Its completion has been met with jubilation from communities who have long suffered the brunt of underdeveloped medical infrastructure.
“Healthcare delivery in Zvishavane will never be the same again. This facility is a blessing, especially for pregnant women and children who bore the brunt of poor access in the past,” a villager said, summing up the relief felt across the district.
Another villager echoed the same sentiments, pointing to the leadership of the Second Republic as the foundation upon which such projects are built. “Midlands Province is a proud beneficiary of the President’s people-centric, results-oriented, and listening leadership, and the Second Republic’s desire to leapfrog the economy, transform the livelihoods of communities and bridge service delivery gaps between rural and urban centres,” the villager said.
The project resonates deeply with the national vision, which prioritises the philosophy that Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo/Ilizwe Lakhiwa Ngabanikazi Balo. Development partners have aligned themselves with this philosophy, expressing confidence that the facility will have a lasting impact on community livelihoods. Valley Seeds’ Chairman, Mr Themba Nkatazo, emphasised that the facility is not just a local intervention but a significant milestone towards universal healthcare. “The facility is a milestone achievement aligned with Vision 2030, ensuring that even rural communities have access to world-class health services such as maternity care, X-rays, and scans, truly leaving no one and no place behind,” Mr Nkatazo said.
Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube, described the development as a cornerstone of rural transformation. He highlighted how the hospital dovetails with the Government’s infrastructure agenda under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, where rural communities are being uplifted through deliberate investments in clinics, schools, roads, and clean water systems. “The Second Republic prioritises rural development in its infrastructure agenda, from roads and clinics to schools and clean water systems, ensuring that the benefits of economic reform are felt beyond cities and towns. The provision of quality healthcare is a crucial element in achieving Vision 2030, and the completion of the mini-hospital aligns with President Mnangagwa’s vision of matching best international practices,” Honourable Ncube said.
The construction of Nkatazo Rural Hospital underscores how devolution is reshaping Zimbabwe’s socio-economic landscape, bridging historical gaps in service delivery, and accelerating inclusive growth. Public-private partnerships have become a cornerstone of this transformation, ensuring that development is not confined to urban centres but radiates into the heart of rural Zimbabwe. Indeed, Zimbabwe has in the past few years witnessed the construction of new clinics across nearly every province, a testament to the Government’s unwavering commitment to decentralisation and equitable service delivery.
For Zvishavane, the hospital is more than bricks and mortar, it is a beacon of hope and a tangible symbol of development that directly responds to community needs. It represents the fulfilment of the Second Republic’s promise to modernise rural healthcare systems, making quality services accessible to all citizens, regardless of geography. It is also a reminder that Vision 2030 is not just an aspirational statement, but a lived reality taking root in the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans.
As the doors of Nkatazo Rural Hospital open, villagers in Sasula and surrounding areas step into a new era, one where healthcare is not a privilege for the few but a right accessible to all. The transformation taking place in Zvishavane is part of a broader national story, where development is touching the furthest corners of the country and where the President’s vision of leaving no one and no place behind is being turned into action.
