Zimbabwe’s Defense Forces Celebrate New Housing Units

By Ilyana Sithole

His Excellency, President, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa, today commissioned the Dzivaresekwa Housing Project, a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to provide affordable and decent housing for public sector employees, particularly members of the Defence Forces.

In his address, President Mnangagwa highlighted the importance of housing as a fundamental need, aligning the project with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030. “Today, we celebrate not just the construction of houses, but a testament to our government’s commitment to providing modern, safe, and affordable housing for our citizens and public sector employees,” he stated.

The project, which includes the construction of 8,430 housing units at Dzivaresekwa and Imbizo Barracks, aims to improve living conditions for military personnel and their families. The President emphasized the critical role of these facilities in enabling the defense forces to focus on their duties of safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and contributing to economic growth.

“The peace and security of our nation are essential for economic transformation,” president Mnangagwa remarked, underscoring that secure housing allows military personnel to work without the distraction of accommodation concerns. He expressed gratitude for the sacrifices made by the defense forces, stating that these new homes symbolize the nation’s respect and appreciation.

The President acknowledged past delays in the project but commended the Ministry of Defence, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Construction Regiment, and Broadhaven Construction Company for their recent progress. He urged the Ministry to expand the Construction Regiment and enhance its capabilities to support ongoing public sector construction initiatives.

In a nod to sustainability, Dr. Mnangagwa praised the shift to climate-smart building technologies, which aim to expedite housing construction while accommodating more families. He called on stakeholders in the housing sector to collaborate in addressing the national housing backlog and ensuring that new developments include necessary infrastructure such as roads and health facilities.

“My government remains committed to creating an enabling environment for our citizens to access adequate shelter,” he added, noting the recapitalization of the Housing Guarantee and National Housing Fund in the upcoming national budget.

In closing, President Mnangagwa reiterated his government’s resolve to ensure the well-being of the defense forces, thanking them for their professionalism and hard work. He officially declared the Dzivaresekwa and Imbizo Barracks housing units commissioned, marking a hopeful step forward for military families in Zimbabwe.