Of Mahenye marooned farmers, climate change, Human-Wildlife Conflict, inclusivity

By Steve Ephraem

A dramatic scene unfolded on Sunday, February 16, 2025 on Lisungwe Island in Mahenye, Ward 29, Chipinge, Zimbabwe, when 15 people were stranded due to rising waters from the Save River. The island, located near the confluence with Runde River, is a fertile land used by farmers to grow crops.

Fortunately, the Chipinge Civil Protection Committee coordinated a successful rescue effort with the help of stakeholders like Gonarezhou Conservation Trust and Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge.

Interestingly, two individuals refused evacuation, citing they were fine staying on the island.

Councilor Liberty Chauke of Ward 29 revealed that one of them has a mental disability, and the community is aware of his condition. This highlights the importance of inclusivity and understanding in disaster response situations.

“One of the people who refused to evacuate is a Person with Disability. He has mental disability. Most people of Mahenye are aware of his mental challenges. People should not call him names since the community know his disability status,” he said.

Councillor Chauke added that farming on Lisungwe Island is motivated Climate Change and Human-Wildlife Conflict among other factors.

“The issue of Climate Change and Human-Wildlife Conflict are at play in the main farming land. Rains are no longer predictable in the Lowveld that in the past farming seasons, crops were wilting leaving farmers stranded. They then opt to farm at the island since the villagers can acquire good harvest from there.

“On Human-Wildlife Conflict, it is common knowledge that farmers lose crops to wildlife especially elephants. Farmers prefer to grow at Lisungwe so that even if elephants come to eat crops, the farmers are left with something to store,” added Chauke.

A development partner, Freedom to the Disabled Persons in Zimbabwe (FDPZ) is implementing Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction in Ward 29, Chipinge.

FDPZ Director Wallace Mupfumwa emphasized the importance of providing psychosocial support to affected farmers and their families, including those with disabilities.

“Our understanding is that three people who were affected by the flooding at Lisungwe are Persons with Disabilities. One of them has mental disability. We want to thank the Chipinge Civil Protection Committee for a job well done.

“I am happy that the community was inclusive and helped the Persons with Disabilities along with others. The next call of action is giving the affected farmers and their families psychosocial support since their horrific experience at the island has seriously affected their mental wellbeing,” he said.