The government has announced plans to demolish Mbare’s dilapidated flats and build new high-rise buildings, claiming it will decongest the area and improve living conditions. Because, clearly, building upwards is the solution to all problems.
Minister Daniel Garwe says President Emmerson Mnangagwa has instructed the government to embark on an “urgent” urban regeneration program under Vision 2030. No concrete plans, timelines, or budgets are provided, because who needs details when you have a vision?
Garwe’s two-pronged approach includes:
1. “Building better backwards” by refurbishing existing flats.
2. “Building better forward” by constructing new units.
Meanwhile, residents are dealing with the aftermath of the recent bed bug infestation, which the government is tackling with a “whole-of-government approach.”
Critics argue that this is just another propaganda stunt, distracting from the government’s failure to provide basic urban services. With no track record of delivery, the new flats promise sound like empty promises.
Mbare’s residents need real solutions to deep-seated problems, not just a PR stunt. Will the government deliver, or is this just another case of “Vision 2030” rhetoric?
The Questions
1. Where will residents go during the demolition and construction process?
2. How will the government ensure the new flats are affordable and accessible?
3. What about the underlying issues of poor urban planning and lack of basic services?
Residents and critics alike are skeptical about the government’s intentions and ability to deliver. Only time will tell if this plan is more than just a pipe dream.
source- zimeye
