KWEKWE City Council has unveiled more than 1,000 residential stands as part of the government’s broader push to expand access to affordable housing under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
The move comes in response to calls for local authorities to play a more active role in addressing urban housing shortages, one of the priority areas under NDS2’s infrastructure development and housing pillar.
Council officials say the land release programme is aimed at easing long-standing pressure on housing demand in the city while promoting orderly urban development.
Kwekwe Town Clerk, Dr Lucia Mkandla, said the stands are spread across high-, medium- and low-density suburbs.
“Here in Mbizo 18, we have unveiled 157 stands, in Mbizo 15 Extension 208 stands, Mbizo 23 has 600 stands, while in the low-density suburbs we have 103 stands in Golden Hills and 153 stands in Westview,” said Kwekwe Town Clerk, Dr Lucia Mkandla.
Residents have welcomed the development, expressing optimism after benefiting from the stands allocation programme.
“I am thrilled by the action taken by the city council. I have checked the list of beneficiaries, and what is important is that our own people are included,” said senior ZANU PF cadre, Cde Isheunesu Mupereri.
“I am happy that very soon I will be a landlord. Life as a lodger was very difficult indeed,” said one of the beneficiaries.
The government has also commended the local authority for aligning its housing delivery programme with national development priorities.
Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube, said the initiative reflects the inclusive development thrust of NDS2.
“I commend Kwekwe City Council for taking concrete steps to improve access to decent shelter. It is encouraging to see that youths and veterans of the liberation struggle have also been considered in the allocation process,” he said.
Urban housing delivery remains a key focus under NDS2, as the government seeks to reduce housing backlogs, promote planned settlements, and improve living standards across cities and towns.
