By Maxine F. Kundishora
The 2023–2024 El Nino-induced drought arrived with ripple effects, catching many off guard with erratic rainfall patterns and increasingly drier conditions during the critical agricultural season. Across Southern Africa, the drought left a trail of despair, with Zimbabwe being no exception— a nation dealing with economic uncertainties.
For countless families in Gokwe North, the once promising rainy season turned into a harsh period marked by dry fields, empty dams, malnourished livestock and water scarcity against the growing demand. Livestock suffered from dehydration, while communities endured the burden of travelling long distances to fetch water.
In a significant step toward community resilience, the 340 households of Katandika Village of Ward 33, experienced renewed hope through the establishment of a 2.8 kilometre climate friendly solarized piped water scheme funded by USAID with support from the Government of Zimbabwe.
Implemented by Africa AHEAD, Nutrition Action Zimbabwe, Musasa and led by Action Contre la Faim,, the project aimed to address critical water access challenges in the district with another piped water scheme rehabilitated in Zumba of Ward 5 and 9 boreholes across the district have been rehabilitated, bringing much-needed relief to an area historically burdened by low water levels and severe dryness.
Anna Madzikidzo (63) shared her personal struggles and those of the broader Katandika community, living in one of the hardest-hit drought areas. Faced with water shortages, poverty and food insecurity, Anna carried the weight of her family’s survival on her shoulders, with their livelihood resting entirely on her resilience.
For Anna, employment was unattainable, so she focused on caring for her family and managing household duties. “Our biggest challenge was accessing safe potable water in this drought-stricken period. It was a daily struggle to secure at least four to five 20-liter containers for our family needs.”
“Our village depended on an old, partially functional hand pump borehole located nearly 1 km from my home. However, it often had mechanical issues, making it unreliable in urgent situations.” Anna explained.
Like the rest of the community of about almost 1400 members, Anna was forced to turn to Kamwa river— an unprotected source located approximately 2-3km from her home, where wild animals and livestock also drank.
“I walked the distance every day, making several trips to get decent amounts of water for my family. The source was an unsafe and contaminated alternative, adding to the hardships I face already.” she said.
“I have to care for my paralyzed husband who suffered a stroke and support my youngest son who is in Form 3 and three orphaned grandchildren,” Anna shared, adding, “I had 11 children, but six died and four relocated in search of better opportunities.”
Anna standing with renewed hope alongside her two grandchildren.
“With my husband unable to fetch water, my grandchildren being young and my son mostly busy at school, the task falls on me despite my own physical challenges,” Anna explained.
Revealing her dislocated chest bone, she said, “I have had this injury after I fell from a speeding animal-drawn scotch cart years ago, but I could not afford surgery. Imagine the strain of carrying a 20-liter bucket multiple times a day, as a woman whose duties according to cultural norms are to fetch water for the family.”
With temperatures reaching 40°C and no rains, having a garden seemed impossible. For women like Anna, fetching water for the household already required long, tiring trips, making gardening a distant dream.
Even for livestock, the strain was unbearable. With no designated water troughs, livestock drank from the same limited river as the community, risking the spread of diseases like cholera and typhoid.
Life took on new meaning for the Katandika community, now benefiting from a newly upgraded solar-powered piped water scheme, easing the laborious task of manually drawing water from a previously unreliable pump.
With five standpipes and two 10,000-litre backup tanks, the scheme ensures a reliable water supply, reducing long walks for unsafe water and enhancing security for women and girls. “With the tap just meters from my home, I no longer worry about burdening my grandchildren or exposing them to risks,” Anna said.
Katandika scheme with one standpipe in proximity to the households
Assistant District Development Coordinator, Mr. S. Gwatirinda, remarked, “Life has become easier, especially for women. There is less risk of violence and it is so convenient—just open the tap, fill up the bucket and you are done. Water is now accessible near homesteads and that is truly impactful.”
“I truly appreciate this program; I feel so relieved. Before, the water we fetched was unsafe and visibly dirty—no scientist needed to see it was contaminated,” Anna expressed with joy. “The water tastes much better now. It was painful watching my grandchildren drink the unsafe water, fearing they might contract cholera.”
Filled with humour, expressing her reality, Anna said, “Thank you so much for remembering us. Now I can bath every day! My family used to bath occasionally because we had to ration water to avoid the long walks.”
The system improved the agricultural backbone of the community by incorporating a newly constructed cattle trough serving 1700 cattle. Designed with an automatic refilling mechanism, the trough ensures livestock can drink water without human intervention, supporting the health and productivity of Katandika’s livestock.
Cattle having a drink from the trough
Complementing this development is the newly rehabilitated Denda dip tank of the Ward 33, also part of the same USAID funded project, which will enhance cattle health and strengthen the community’s ability to manage livestock more effectively.
She danced with joy showing true appreciation, with the Katandika piped water scheme life has become worth it for Anna and her family. Her story, like many others in Katandika, speaks to the transformative power of clean and safe water being closely accessible to communities. The impact of the piped water scheme project will be felt by generations to come.