The Struggle for Water and Electricity in Kadoma and Surrounding Areas of Zimbabwe. In Zimbabwe, particularly in towns like Kadoma and its surrounding areas, access to basic services such as electricity and water has become a daily battle for many residents. The country is currently grappling with chronic power outages, or “load shedding,” and severe water shortages, both of which have disrupted daily life for millions of Zimbabweans. These issues have escalated to the point where many people, especially those in urban and peri-urban areas, are struggling to meet their most basic needs.
Power Outages: A Daily Reality
Power cuts in Zimbabwe are no longer a rare inconvenience but a harsh and recurring reality. In Kadoma and surrounding areas, electricity outages can last for up to 18 hours a day, leaving residents to cope with the absence of lights, refrigeration, and other essential services. These power cuts have become an almost predictable part of daily life, and with the unreliable electricity supply, people must find alternative ways to carry on with their day-to-day activities.
Businesses, particularly those in the manufacturing, agricultural, and mining sectors, have been hit the hardest by the power outages. Small enterprises, such as shops and food vendors, struggle to stay open, with many unable to operate their businesses for hours on end. Larger industries, particularly those in the mining sector, which is a major contributor to the Zimbabwean economy, lose millions of dollars in productivity every month due to these power interruptions.
The situation has been exacerbated by a deeper, underlying issue within the country’s power utility, ZESA (Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority). Despite the power shortages, ZESA has the capacity to provide reliable and consistent electricity. However, a combination of corruption, mismanagement, and outdated infrastructure within the utility has led to inefficiencies that have failed to resolve the energy crisis. These failures have left the country stuck in a cycle of unreliable power supply with no clear solution on the horizon.
The Water and Electricity Crisis: Women and Girls Bear the Burden
While the power outages are widespread, the water shortages in Kadoma and neighboring areas are equally devastating. In many households, taps run dry for up to a week, forcing residents to seek water from alternative sources. The situation is particularly dire in low-income and informal settlements where access to clean, reliable water is a luxury few can afford.
In many areas, women and girls are bearing the brunt of the water crisis. Traditionally, women in Zimbabwe are the primary caregivers, responsible for domestic tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and childcare. In rural areas, this responsibility extends to walking long distances to fetch water and firewood, tasks that are both physically demanding and time-consuming.
In urban areas like Kadoma, this situation has become increasingly dire. In some low-density suburbs, women can be seen queuing for hours, sometimes as late as midnight, just to collect water for the following day. In some cases, residents queue outside schools and other public spaces, where water trucks are dispatched to supply the community. This desperate situation has led to some residents leaving large containers of water by the roadside or outside school gates in the hope of securing a supply the next morning.
The water shortage has far-reaching consequences for households. With no reliable water supply, people are forced to rely on unsafe sources, which increases the risk of waterborne diseases. Children, especially, are vulnerable to the effects of poor sanitation and inadequate access to clean water. The burden on women is particularly heavy as they spend a significant portion of their day collecting water, leaving them with little time for other activities such as education or paid work.
The Ripple Effect on Businesses and the Economy
The lack of reliable electricity and water has also had a significant impact on local businesses. In Kadoma, which is known for its mining industry, power shortages have meant that mining operations often grind to a halt. The inefficiency of the power supply has led to financial losses for companies, and the mining sector, which once formed the backbone of the region’s economy, is struggling to maintain productivity.
The water crisis has compounded these issues, with many businesses being forced to invest in expensive backup solutions, such as boreholes, water tanks, and generators, just to stay operational. The increased cost of doing business in this environment has led to higher prices for goods and services, further contributing to inflationary pressures in the local economy.
Smaller businesses, particularly in the service sector, are facing even greater difficulties. Food vendors, barbershops, hair salons, and other small enterprises are finding it increasingly hard to survive. Without power, they cannot operate their equipment, and without water, they cannot maintain basic hygiene or sanitation standards.
The Gendered Impact of the Crisis
While power outages are widespread, the water shortages in Kadoma and neighboring areas are equally devastating. Many households face taps running dry for up to a week, forcing residents to seek water from alternative sources. In low-income and informal settlements, where access to clean and reliable water is already scarce, the situation is especially dire. In response to the crisis, some residents with boreholes have started selling water to their neighbors, charging $1 USD for six buckets. This has turned water into a commodity that only those with the financial means can access, further deepening the divide between those who can afford water and those who cannot.
However, amidst this hardship, some residents with a good heart have gone a step further to support their communities. In a display of solidarity, a number of people have set up taps outside their gates, allowing neighbors to draw water from their boreholes free of charge. These small acts of kindness have provided a lifeline for many struggling families, even as the broader water crisis continues to deepen.
For young girls, this has serious implications for their education. Long hours spent collecting water mean less time for schoolwork and study, leading to lower academic performance. In some cases, the lack of reliable water means that girls must stay home altogether to help with household chores, which can prevent them from attending school entirely.
The gendered division of labor means that women also suffer more from the lack of reliable water and electricity when it comes to food preparation and maintaining the cleanliness of the home. These tasks often fall on their shoulders, even as they also try to work outside the home to support their families.
A Call for Accountability
The ongoing power and water shortages in Kadoma and surrounding areas of Zimbabwe are a stark reminder of the country’s broader governance issues. The capacity to solve these problems exists, but there is a systemic failure within key utilities like ZESA and the municipal water supply system, largely due to alledged corruption, mismanagement, and lack of political will to address the issues at their roots.
It is crucial that Zimbabwe’s leaders and institutions take decisive action to address these issues, not only by fixing infrastructure but also by tackling the corruption that has plagued the country’s utilities for years. Restoring accountability within institutions like ZESA and local water authorities is essential for providing the people of Kadoma and other areas with the reliable services they need to survive and thrive.
Conclusion
The severe water and electricity shortages in Kadoma and surrounding areas are a reflection of the broader challenges facing Zimbabwe. These shortages are not just an inconvenience—they are a daily struggle that impacts every aspect of life, from businesses to education, from health to household responsibilities. For women and girls, the crisis is especially difficult, as they are forced to shoulder a disproportionate share of the burden.
Addressing these issues will require a comprehensive approach that tackles not only the technical aspects of power generation and water supply but also the systemic problems of mismanagement and alleged corruption. Until these challenges are addressed, the people of Zimbabwe will continue to face the harsh realities of an unreliable power supply and a water crisis that leaves many desperate for change.
