Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. A FEW years back, the mention of Seke communal lands did not mean much to people staying in Harare and Chitungwiza.
It was just a rural area with people eking a living through tilling the land and selling their horticulture produce at Guzha Township, popularly known as Pa Chikwanha.
Places of interest were not as many save for Ziko shopping centre, where people converged for beer and braai.
It was very ideal with its booking houses as secret lovers would travel out of the prying eyes of their partners to an out of town place for quality time.
But this has changed in recent times as the place has been turned into a peri-urban area because of the Sabhuku land deals.
With Harare and Chitungwiza failing to clear the housing waiting list, many people have resorted to move to the capital city’s peripheries in areas such as Domboshava, Goromonzi and Seke.
Driving along Seke road from Mayambara through to Ziko, Besa and Dema, one is greeted by mansions that can easily qualify to be domiciled in any medium to low-density suburbs in the capital.
Add to the mansions are the big SUVs, the latest vehicle models and brands, a testament to the new residents’ taste and liking.
You can see the latest Toyota Land Cruiser 300 series waltzing past on those small dust roads as people head to their respective workplaces or back homes.
Talk of Domboshava Road, it bears testimony that once upon a time, it played red carpet for the wheels of posh cars many would never think they would see in their lifetime.
Thanks to the late Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure who resided in Domboshava.
His collection of cars included Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benzes, etc.
In these new locations, you will see the youths donning the latest designer clothes you can think of — Gucci, Christian Dior, Louis Vutton, Adidas, Hemes, you name it.
Whether these are original brands or not is a story for another day.
All we know is they are fashion conscious, just like their counterparts north of Samora.
They have made a bold statement that what businessmen Wicknell Chivhayo or Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya can wear, they can do it better.
They do not give a hoot whether they get their merchandise from a shop down town or buy from a newly-opened bhero (second-hand clothing bales).
Meanwhile, the rich mbingas go overseas to shop for original designer clothes.
Sekuru Marks Maonwa, from Seke, shook his head in disbelief as he narrated how the area has transformed.
“Dzimba dzatakuona muno dzichaguma dzakutaura chete. Kunzi good morning nemba yako. (People are building state of the art houses. You would think these houses can greet their owners),” he said.
“People coming to locate in these areas are monied. We never thought there will be such growth.
“The only disturbing thing is that most of our people who were selling land never thought of building such big houses. They squandered the money paZiko apa (here at Ziko) and they are now feeling the pressure.
“Paidyiwa mari apa mwanangu (Money was spent recklessly at Ziko shopping centre.”
But as the people develop, there is also a worrying trend where recreational land is being decimated.
The ballooning population in these areas comes with challenges such as underdeveloped roads, lack of schools, clinics and recreational facilities.
Social vices such as prostitution, drug and substance use become the order of the day.
“We used to have a good number of grounds for social soccer. Some were turned into residential areas,” said Arnold, a resident and social soccer player.
“There used to be other grounds especially down there where even helicopters would come for training drills. We used to call this area kuzvikopokopo, but the area was turned into residential stands such that the helicopters are no long coming there.
“We are up to date with trending issues. Come to the grounds, you will see our local Paybacks, Halaands and Yamals.”
Not to be outdone are drug peddlers who have set “bases” around these developing areas.
Those selling illicit brew such as Tambirani, mukozodo and kambwa are producing counterfeit packaging to lure people.
You can find such illicit brew packaged and labelled with names of top whiskey brands.
It then adds to the notion that a community can make or break a functional generation.
Fortune Chitsumba, founder and chief executive officer of Youth against Drugs and Substance Abuse Zimbabwe (YADSAZ), said the growth of these settlements can also see the growth of substance use.
“It’s true that a community can make or break a functional generation. With regards to the areas you are talking about, you will find out that peer pressure, cultural, family set up and availability of drugs play a significant role in drug use. Because of these factors a community can normalise such social ills,” Chitsumba said.
“Communities can combat such ills by making sure youths are occupied be it work or recreational, monitor their activities and engage other stakeholders in doing awarenesses. Communities must create safe spaces for these youths.”
As the city’s peripheries expand and easy accommodation problems, there is need for society to monitor social ills through engagement with relevant stakeholders.
Organisations such as YADSAZ and Friendship Bench that mainly focus around raising awareness to issues to do with drug and substance use becomes handy.
The police are on record appealing to communities to always work with them to bust drug syndicates.
For More News And Analysis About Zimbabwe Follow Africa-Press
