By Admire Chitsungo
The Government has appointed and inducted trustees for 15 Community Economic Empowerment Trusts (CEETs), saying the move is intended to promote rural industrialisation and increase community participation in the benefits derived from natural resources.
The appointments were announced during the Community Economic Empowerment Trusts Boards Appointment and Induction Training Conference held in Kadoma under the theme, “CEETs for Accelerated Rural Industrialisation.” Government officials also said plans were underway to establish 46 additional trust boards across the country.
Speaking at the conference, Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Marian Chombo, said the appointment of the trustees marked the transition of the trusts from the planning stage to implementation.
She said the boards would be responsible for providing governance and oversight to ensure accountability and transparency in the management of the trusts.
According to Chombo, the trusts are intended to enable communities to participate more directly in economic activities linked to the natural resources found in their areas, with the aim of improving livelihoods and supporting inclusive development.
She said the government would work with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, local authorities, traditional leaders and other stakeholders to support the programme.
Chombo also called on the private sector, development partners and civil society organisations to collaborate with the trusts through investment, technical expertise and market access.
Minister of Industry and Commerce Mangaliso Ndlovu said government had introduced a framework requiring qualifying mining investments to contribute at least two percent of their gross annual revenue towards community development through the Community Economic Empowerment Trusts.
“Communities should not be viewed as charity cases. They are rightful stakeholders in the resources found within their areas and deserve to benefit from them,” Ndlovu said.
He said the trusts were expected to provide a framework for financing community development projects and increasing local participation in economic activities.
Minister of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Monica Mutsvangwa said the programme would require cooperation across government ministries and other stakeholders to achieve its objectives.
Traditional leader Chief Chikwaka welcomed the initiative, saying he believed it would enable communities to play a greater role in managing and benefiting from local resources.
The Community Economic Empowerment Trusts form part of government’s broader devolution and community empowerment agenda. Their impact will depend on how the programme is implemented and managed in the respective communities.
