Tiyani Hahlani

A community in Chidziyamango, Buhera South, has successfully restored a degraded wetland in the Chatikobo area of Ward 28, significantly improving food security, water availability and biodiversity.

With support from the Southern Alliance for Indigenous Resources (SAFIRE) and Oxfam, funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), the Chidziyamango group fenced off a 500-square-meter section of the Jori Microwatershed wetland.

This intervention has halted destructive riverine farming, allowing natural vegetation and wildlife to recover.

During a media tour recently, SAFIRE director Estella Toperesu explained that the restoration is part of a larger climate resilience initiative aimed at protecting ecosystems while improving livelihoods.

“We relocated farmers who were cultivating in the wetlands and helped them establish a nearby horticulture garden, enabling year-round food production.

“The restored wetland now enhances groundwater recharge, flood control, and water purification. Additionally, farmers are generating income through aquaculture,” Toperesu said.

Toperesu urged scaling up the initiative to other wetland-rich regions in Zimbabwe to combat land degradation and climate change.

“We hope this model from Buhera can be replicated nationwide to strengthen community resilience,” she added.

Moses Chatikobo, chairperson of the Chidziyamango garden, praised the collaboration between the government, SAFIRE, Oxfam and SIDA for its tangible benefits.

“This project has boosted crop yields, brought back wildlife, and improved water quality in our area. We’re also benefiting from fish farming and beekeeping, which promote biodiversity while protecting our environment,” said Chatikobo.

Lydia Mupangari, the garden’s treasurer, highlighted its empowerment of women and youth.

“This project has transformed our lives—we now earn sustainable incomes, support our families, and pay school fees. It has also helped reduce gender-based violence by providing economic opportunities,” said Mupangari.

The restoration aligns with Zimbabwe’s hosting of the Ramsar Convention COP15 in Victoria Falls (July 23–31), themed “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future.”