Kufambidzana Youth Embrace MFOI Act
By Noxolo Ndlovu
Youth at Kufambidzana training centre in Chitungwiza which is a part of Dreams USAID have welcomed the ‘My freedom of Information Act’ indicating that it could likely be the lifeline of their agricultural project.
Dreams USAID partners with community, faith-based, and non-governmental organizations to mobilize significant numbers of community leaders and members across the globe to help in the quest to address the structural inequalities, challenges and vulnerabilities associated with HIV.
The founder of the centre, Mrs Chikwanha who openly lives with HIV said she attributes her good health to good eating habits above everything else hence her passion to spearhead an agricultural space on the small piece of land at the centre.
“When you look at me, you would never guess that I have been living with the virus since 1997 when I was tested. I eat good food and hardly ever find myself indulging in junk foods like freezits, crisp chips or fast foods”, she said.
However the centre faces a threat as it is expected to pay a supposed ‘tax’ of USD 250 or RTGS equivalent to the council every 3 months which could leave them out of the little business they have.
Asked upon what the tax is for, they could not provide a solid answer indicating that they were also not sure of why they were paying this amount.
Tonderai Gatsi, a devoted youth and agronomist at the centre said there is therefore a need for an active community that asks these relevant questions to authorities so as to provide clarity.
“The my freedom of Information Act is a welcome move especially in our case here at Kufambidzana because for a long time now we have been asking ourselves numerous questions regarding the tax we pay every other 3 months but we did not have the guts to approach the council directly.
For all we know, this money could be going into someone’s pockets at our expense.
Imagine that we grow tomatoes and onions here under very difficult conditions of little water and bad soil in an already flooded market yet every month we need to worry about paying over USD 83.
It just does not add up or is sustainable in the long run”,he said.
The Chitungwiza town council board could not give a comment up until publication.
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