Setting the pace for development

Jabiri Sawezi of Kakopa Village, Senior Chief Malengachanzi in Nkhotakota, is a rare person who does not believe in waiting for government to develop his area. He is constructing a community road to bail out people travelling from his village to Kachuma Market.

He says people used to struggle to pass through Nakatali during the rainy season such that they had to create paths in gardens, damaging crops in the process.

“It was a market day at Kachuma and I stood at my friend’s house on this revelation day, observing people absorbed in searching of and creating paths in gardens. I was concerned to see people who had travelled all the way from Bua, Katengeza, Chunga and Mwalawatongole in area of T/A Mphonde among the stranded,” he says.

Sawezi, a maize and rice farmer, says some people were forced to return to their villages without accessing Kachuma Market due to swampy conditions at Nakatali compounded by absence of roads.

According to him, people rely on this market to purchase various commodities but their challenge has been the absence of a road.

“It occurred to me by simply constructing a road; the people of this area would be relieved. I then decided to start constructing the road, because I realise it is for the good of everyone in the community,” he says.

Road construction requires continuous overcoming geographic obstacles using a variety of road building equipment.

Sawezi shouldered the responsibility for the road construction and currently it is around 300 metres long.

His wife says Sawezi is the one behind the project and the family has not taken any key role in the construction.

She adds: “We share responsibilities. As my husband is busy in the road construction, I am preoccupied with gardening.”

Sawezi’s son, Chikumbutso, who has returned to the village from South Africa early last month, praised his father and said he was impressed with the progress of the project.

“When I was leaving for South Africa in 2011, much of this area was bushy. I am amazed to see how my father has managed to create the road,” says Chikumbutso.

Sawezi says during the one-party era, roads were maintained during National Youth Week for free. He says he drew his courage from that and decided to construct the road alone.

“I am aware that various non-governmental organisations and government are doing their part in various development projects, but I decided to play my part in developing the country, particularly in my village, by constructing the road,” he says.

Sawezi says his only tools for the work on the road, which previously had many stumps, have been an axe, a hoe and a panga.

“After completing the road, I intend to put a signpost indicating the name of the road as Vikwankhwa [stumps]. I am popular in the whole Kasamba area such that people are associating Vikwankhwa Road with my name,” he says.

Sawezi says when he began the work, many people supported his idea.

He says he does not force anyone to assist him, but several people have been joining him in the work.

“Somebody within this area constructed a private road called Kasumu Road leading to his house, but Vikwankhwa Road is for everyone. I do not demand anything from anyone using the road,” he says.

The farmer says sometimes he buys chicken and fish from Lake Malawi and prepares nsima. Then he invites community members willing to assist him in the road construction and they get the food as a reward.

“Community members respond by turning up in a considerable number because it is the tradition in this area that when one has prepared food, many people assist him in any work, including in the gardens,” he says.

Sawezi says without the food, nobody is willing to help.

Maulidi Jabini, one of the people who have been helping Sawezi in the road works, commends the work.

“It is a good cause and Sawezi has to be commended for that,” says Jabini.

Rashid Kamuna says the road is already assisting people in the area.

“This road is busy on the market day at Kachuma. I am a bicycle taxi-operator and I am benefitting from this road,” Kamuna says.

Sawezi thanked Village Head Kakopa for donating the piece of land where the road has been constructed.

Kakopa says when he was approached by Sawezi that he needed land for road construction, he happily provided the land.

“The road will contribute to the development of the community by reducing transport problems. There is no through-road to the main Chilingali Road to enable community members to get to Kachuma Market,” says the village head.

Currently, Sawezi is negotiating with people to contribute pieces of land for the road to be extended to Kachuma.

“The remaining part is not in Kakopa Village, but some people are willing to provide the land so that the road is completed. I once extended the road to a neighbouring village after a certain farmer allowed me to use the piece of land, but his relative destroyed that part of the road and planted cassava,” says Sawezi.

Sawezi says he will forge ahead.

“I now need two culverts to put on a certain section of the road. I hope individuals and organisations will assist me on this because I have seen organisations funding radio listening clubs. So, I believe they cannot fail to provide culverts towards this project which is benefitting the community,” says the farmer.

Kakopa says when the project came to a standstill due to the need for land from other villages, he approached fellow traditional leaders.

“Together with them, we sat down with the people who own the land where we are proposing the road to pass through, two of the three people promised to donate their pieces of land towards the project.

“Only one person said he cannot give the land freely, but needs to be compensated and we shall see on what we can do,” says Kakopa.

The VH says the long-standing problem will be solved and he is happy that Sawezi has not let him down by spearheading in the construction of the road which is wide such that an ambulance can travel in it.

“Various people in my area have been very much committed to development, but Sawezi undoubtedly surpasses them all,” he concludes.