Borehole Opening in Harare’s Strathaven Signals Hope for Community Water Access

The Water Tank

Honorable Makahamadze at the complex

Honorable Mashavave and dignitaries presenting the project

Honorable Mashavave and Honorable Makahamadze

On a bright Harare morning, residents of Avondale West gathered at the Strathaven Shopping Center to witness a landmark community initiative: the official opening of two new boreholes and the installation of three large water tanks. The project was commissioned by Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) Member of Parliament, Honorable Mashavave, as part of an ongoing commitment to address long-standing water supply issues in the area.

The event was attended by several dignitaries, including former Southerton MP Hon. Makahamadze, and ZANU-PF central committee members Mrs. Maunganidze, Mrs. Gumunyu, and Ms. Melody Muzenda. Their presence highlighted the shared vision for development that transcends political lines. The day began with a community-led clean-up of the shopping center grounds, setting the tone for an occasion centered on civic pride and progress. Local residents and leaders came together to prepare the space for the new water taps, which are already making a visible difference in hygiene and public health.

For people like Jay, a local car washer, the borehole project has already brought renewed energy to their daily hustle. “Now our car wash business is not going to be stopped by anything; we are now unstoppable!” he said with a smile, explaining how they previously relied on distant and unreliable water sources. Market vendors like Ajiji echoed the sentiment, welcoming the public toilets now functional thanks to the water supply. “Our customers did not have anywhere to wash their fruits if they wanted to eat them here or on their way home. Our toilets were also becoming an eyesore and health hazard because of lack of water,” she explained.

This opening marks just the beginning. The initiative is part of a broader plan to drill six boreholes across the constituency, aiming to stabilize water access and improve public infrastructure. “I am doing what I promised them in my manifesto, and I will not stop just because there are no elections,” Hon. Mashavave stated, highlighting his focus on sustainable development over campaign-driven gestures. The MP also stressed the need to revitalize local institutions, using Mt. Pleasant Hall as an example of a once-vibrant community hub now in disrepair. His vision is to restore such places to their former utility and dignity.

Former MP Makahamadze praised Mashavave's efforts: “This is a man who keeps his word… This project is for everyone that lives in this neighborhood and anyone that passes through this area.” His remarks emphasized unity, purpose, and public service as the driving force behind the project.

As the ceremony concluded, it became clear that the borehole opening was more than just an infrastructure milestone—it was a reaffirmation of what can be achieved through collaboration, accountability, and genuine community engagement. The Strathaven project stands as a symbol of resilience and shared progress, laying the groundwork for future transformation in Harare’s suburbs.