Once a remote and often-overlooked corner of Beitbridge District, Tshitulipasi Business Centre has become a beacon of rural transformation, thanks to the completion of a 120-kilowatt solar plant by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). The project, hailed as a game-changer by residents and local leaders alike, is not just about lighting homes; it’s a catalyst for rural industrialisation and community renewal.
The solar plant has powered more than 40 homesteads and vital public institutions, including a clinic, a primary school, a police station, government sub-offices, and community boreholes. This shift from darkness to light is more than symbolic; it represents a deliberate push to bridge the rural-urban divide that has too often defined Zimbabwe’s development narrative.
For Mrs. Tendai Gwenzi, a local mother who gave birth to her baby boy at Tshitulipasi Clinic, the difference is immediate and profound. “We are grateful for this development,” she said, her relief evident. “In the past, one had to bring candles when giving birth. Now, we have power, and the environment is far more conducive.”
Her story is echoed by community leaders who see electricity not just as a utility, but as a lifeline. Village Head, Mr. Samson Moyo, described the project as transformative. “We are now confident that no place is being left behind,” he reflected. “The arrival of electricity has truly transformed this area.”
Indeed, the ripple effects are already visible. Chairperson of the Tshitulipasi Solar Project, Mr. Robert Hlongwani, pointed to children now learning with computers, shops staying open longer, and services that once seemed out of reach suddenly accessible. “This is what rural industrialisation looks like,” he said, a proud smile spreading across his face.
Beyond the local excitement, the project fits squarely into Zimbabwe’s broader development agenda. REA’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Johannes Nyamayedenga, framed the solar plant within the national vision: “Our mission is to electrify all previously marginalised communities by 2030. We want every village to have access to services such as welding equipment locally, rather than traveling long distances. This project aligns with the President’s Vision 2030.”
That vision, of leaving no one and no place behind, is not just a slogan. It’s a cornerstone of the Second Republic’s development ethos, a recognition that sustainable growth cannot be confined to cities alone. The commissioning of the Tshitulipasi Solar Plant is a tangible example of this commitment, serving as both a symbol and a practical step toward an inclusive economy.
Analytically, the solar project is more than an energy solution; it’s a strategic intervention. It creates opportunities for local entrepreneurship, supports education through improved learning conditions, and strengthens health services—all critical components of building an upper-middle-income economy. By decentralising energy production, it also builds resilience against national power challenges, a factor that cannot be overstated in a country still navigating complex energy dynamics.
But even as the community celebrates, the project also raises important questions about sustainability, maintenance, and community ownership. Electrification alone does not guarantee economic transformation unless it’s paired with training, investment, and local capacity-building. In this sense, the project’s success will depend on continued support and collaboration between the community, REA, and other stakeholders.
As the sun set on the commissioning ceremony, the newly lit homesteads of Tshitulipasi glowed like small stars on the dark landscape, a powerful testament to what targeted investment and visionary planning can achieve.
If the lessons of Tshitulipasi are replicated nationwide, Zimbabwe’s journey towards Vision 2030 may not only bridge the rural-urban divide but could also illuminate a path towards a truly inclusive, resilient, and prosperous future.
