By Lungile Siziba
By the time the real work begins at the US$1 billion steel plant in Manhize, the lives of Zimbabweans would be transformed in a remarkable way.
At the moment, benefits are beginning to show and communities are wondering the extent of benefits they would get when production hits even a modest 30 percent.
The US$1 billion steel plant, which has potential to become one of the biggest in the world when it reaches full capacity, is being implemented by Dinson Iron and Steel Company (Disco).
Disco is a subsidiary of global steel giant Tsingshan Holdings with headquarters in China.
President Mnangagwa recently led proceedings during a ground-breaking at the company, which is based in Chirumanzu.
“It is commendable that the US$1 billion capital investment for the first phase of the project is already having unprecedented spin offs,” he said. “The employment and empowerment opportunities among other aspects, will undoubtedly go a long way towards improving the quality of life of our people, especially women and the youth.
“Over and above the upstream and downstream linkages, the project is transforming the social services and infrastructure outlook of the surrounding part of our country. In this regard, the construction of other enabling infrastructure is being prioritised and includes the construction of a dam, roads, railway track, power line, bridges, schools, health facilities and accommodation.”
A new Smart City is set to be developed in the area, in a development expected to completely transform Chirumanzu in particular and Zimbabwe in general.
President Mnangagwa said ministries, departments and agencies should accelerate the finalisation of the master plan of the proposed Smart City.
The steel plant is seen as a key building block for the attainment of the US$12 billion mining industry by the end of next year.
For the country to benefit significantly from its mining projects, the President wants the mining companies to embark on value addition and beneficiation, which will increase the number of jobs formed.
“The intricate nexus between the growth of the mining sector, local beneficiation and value addition across all levels in the mining sector cannot be overemphasised.
“Hence, the local beneficiation and value addition of our abundant natural resources, particularly iron and steel, is set to accelerate and drive the economy up the value chain. Metals and in particular steel as a raw material and intermediate product, are critical in the development of any nation.
“The production, usage and consumption of steel products has been regarded widely as an indicator of economic progress and overall sustainable socio-economic development,” said the President.
The steel project, said President Mnangagwa, resonates well with the Second Republic’s infrastructure development drive as the country seeks to revamp and modernise national infrastructure for the benefit of people.
“This project bolsters our focus to penetrate regional and global markets. The emerging Iron and Steel Industrial Park here at Manhize will definitely generate downstream and upstream opportunities.
“It is, therefore, against this background that I urge local communities, companies and small to medium enterprises, particularly women and the youth, to strategically position themselves to take maximum advantage of the attendant opportunities associated with this national strategic project,” he said.
As a result of the numerous high value investments that have been set up or are being set up across the country, there is an understandable observation that Zimbabwe is rising.
President Mnangagwa shares the same vision and he is convinced that “step by step, brick by brick, and stone upon stone, we are building our great motherland”.
“We remain emboldened by our philosophy, ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo, Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo’, and the support we continue to receive from our strategic partners and friends such as those from the People’s Republic of China and other progressive nations.
“Our national Vision 2030 shall surely be a reality,” said President Mnangagwa.
The steel plant is expected to produce about 600 000 tonnes of steel per annum, over and above other related products.
The project is expected to turn Zimbabwe into a dynamic industrial hub, churning out a broad range of value-added, “Made in Zimbabwe” iron and steel products, for both local and international markets.