Business sector rallies behind community-led land restoration programme in the basin

Summary

In-kind contributions such as tools, transport and subsistence needs and technical expertise are being matched with financial resources to ensure the sustainability of the initiative and its replication across other vulnerable areas in the district.

Local support is growing strong at Guyu Chelesa — one of the pilot sites under the Sustainable Land Management (SLM) initiative in the Limpopo River Basin (LRB).

Located in the driest parts and most severely degraded areas of Gwanda District in Zimbabwe and one of the most economically deprived regions in the LRB, the Guyu Chelesa community has refused to surrender, but instead come together to restore and reclaim their land.

Terraces now hold back erosion, and the once-barren landscape is slowly healing. Their hard work, resilience and regeneration have not gone unnoticed as both the business in the Guyu community and broader Gwanda District together with local government are stepping in to support this noble initiative.

In-kind contributions such as tools, transport and subsistence needs and technical expertise are being matched with financial resources to ensure the sustainability of the initiative and its replication across other vulnerable areas in the district.

Guided by Dabane Trust, the local partner leading SLM activities in Zimbabwe under the project “Integrated Transboundary River Basin Management for the Sustainable Development of the Limpopo River Basin,” the Guyu Chelesa pilot site is indeed becoming a shining example of what community action can achieve.

LIMCOM is implementing the project in partnership with the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA), with support from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

Speaking at a recent site visit, LIMCOM Regional Coordinator, Dr Eddie Riddell said this private support is critical to unlock new opportunities, including the potential for Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES), where restored landscapes generate tangible value for both communities and investors.

“As a project, we are so pleased that community efforts have been rewarded and recognized by local business in sustainable land management at Guyu Chelesa,” he said, adding that “this has shown that resources can be mobilized from the grassroots upwards. We hope new regional partners join this initiative in working to scale up these important restoration efforts.”

Dr. Riddell said the project is open to partnering with like-minded stakeholders as everyone has a role to play in sustainable development.

Some of the business community encouraged by the land restoration at Guyu-Chelesa in Ward 14 of Gwanda District in Zimbabwe include the Gwanda Chambers of Small and Medium Enterprises, members of both the Gwanda retail and mining sectors and the Gwanda Community Share Scheme.

The main aim of implementing SLM activities on a pilot scale — one each in four LIMCOM countries — is to reduce land degradation, such as sedimentation, and enhance land productivity, creating opportunities for replication and scaling through socio-economic benefits, including payment for ecosystem services models.