The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has commissioned an electrification project at Majindane Primary School in the Umguza District of Matabeleland North, providing power to the school, a community borehole, and the local business centre. The project, which began on June 12, 2025, was completed in 50 days at a cost of ZWG3 million, according to REA Acting Chief Executive Officer Felister Makumbinde.
Majindane Project Anchors Umguza Electrification
The installation included the construction of 8km of power lines supplying the school, three business premises, and the borehole. During the switch-on ceremony, Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo stated that the government is accelerating these efforts to ensure no school is left behind, citing a target set by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to ensure all schools are electrified this year.
Majindane Primary School Headmaster Edward Tshuma described the development as a milestone and a game changer
for the institution. Tshuma noted that the children will benefit from evening lessons and the introduction of computers, which will make teaching easier.
District and Provincial Infrastructure Gains
In Umguza District, the REA has already electrified 44 primary schools, 14 secondary schools, eight rural health centres, three government extension offices, three traditional leaders’ homesteads, six business centres, 12 irrigation schemes, and 24 small-scale farms. Minister July Moyo noted that while 44 primary schools are now electrified, 11 remain to be connected, and two of the 14 secondary schools still lack power.
Recent health-focused initiatives in Umguza include the completed electrification of Mfanyana Clinic and ongoing work to extend electricity to Mawabeni Clinic via a 25-kilometre power line. At a provincial level, Matabeleland North has benefited from 139 solar systems and 19 institutional biogas digesters.
Expansion of Renewable Energy and Biogas
The REA is promoting renewable energy technologies alongside grid electrification. In the Umguza District, the agency has completed eight solar projects. The biogas programme has seen successful institutional projects at Ntabazinduna Training Centre, Andrew Farm, St James Girls High School, and George Silundika Secondary School.
Further biogas developments in the region include:
- Seven biogas digesters completed in Mawabeni Village, Nyamandlovu.
- 27 domestic biogas digesters completed across the province.
- 25 domestic units and one institutional biogas digester currently under construction.
Minister Moyo encouraged households in Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South with sufficient livestock to adopt biogas to generate electricity and clean cooking energy. Nationally, the REA has constructed 594 biogas digesters and installed more than 1,047 solar systems.
Ongoing Projects and Future Targets
The REA is working toward a government directive to electrify all rural schools and health centres by the end of 2026. Johannes Nyamayedenga, REA public relations and marketing executive, stated that the agency is prioritizing health and education institutions to improve service delivery in marginalized communities.
Current projects in Matabeleland North include:
- Lupane District: Construction is underway at Sagonda Primary and Secondary School, Zinaphi Primary School, and Makuni Primary School and Business Centre. Additionally, five schools have been identified for surveys and wayleave clearance.
- Hwange: Implementation is ongoing at Lupinyu Primary School, Chewumba Primary School, and Bambamkhulu Secondary School.
- Umguza District: Heloka Primary School and Mangwabi Primary School are lined up for electrification.
- Tsholotsho: Wayleave clearances have been approved by the council for six schools.
Nyamayedenga noted that some current projects are being funded by resources carried over from the previous year and must be completed before the end of the year to meet electrification targets for clinics and schools. In Matabeleland South, 17 institutions are currently in the tubing stage of electrification.
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