BULAWAYO, Feb. 18 (NewsDay Live) – The Accelerated Presidential Housing Scheme targeting civil servants in Bulawayo has been welcomed by residents, who say it will spur meaningful development in the city.
Located in Emthunzini, Umguza, on the outskirts of Bulawayo, the project broke ground in October 2024 and aims to deliver 4,000 housing units for civil servants.
The scheme is a partnership between the government, the National Social Security Authority (NSSA), the National Building Society (NBS), and private contractors including Maharba and Hawkflight.
Hawkflight operations manager Martin Moyo said the Bulawayo project is a pilot that could drive major urban expansion if more land is availed, potentially extending the city’s radius to 40 kilometres.
“We approached the government and later met President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who gave us the green light,” Moyo said, adding that the President wants the model replicated nationwide in line with his “leaving no place and no one behind” mantra.
Moyo said the scheme has boosted employment, increasing the company’s workforce from 20–30 workers to more than 300. Although initially tasked to build 100 houses per year, the developers have completed 340 units in under two years.
He said early challenges with water and sewer reticulation — as Umguza Rural District Council does not provide the services — have since been resolved through cooperation with Bulawayo City Council.
Bulawayo United Residents Association chairperson Winos Dube welcomed the project, saying it will create jobs and support livelihoods.
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Beneficiary Austin Sibanda said he had previously failed to secure housing elsewhere. “It is a great honour that, with zero deposit, I can now own a house,” he said.
The scheme offers four-roomed houses under an 18-year mortgage at US$198 per month, with no deposit required, easing the housing burden for government employees.
