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Transcript/ScriptUSAGM SHARE
((PLAYBOOK SLUG: ZIMBABWE CYBER CITY (TV/R)
HEADLINE: Zimbabwe Plans to Build $60 Billion 'Cyber City' to Easy Harare Congestion
TEASER: Critics of project say President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government must first fix economy, dilapidated infrastructure
PUBLISHED AT: 02/01/2023 at 8:35am
BYLINE: Columbus Mavhunga
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Mount Hampden, Zimbabwe
VIDEOGRAPHER: Blessing Chigwenhembe
VIDEO EDITOR:
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: MAS, Reifenrath
VIDEO SOURCES: VOA Original, Skype,
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 2:58
VID APPROVED BY: wpm
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO))
[[Zimbabwe plans to build "Zim Cyber City," a modern capital expected to cost up to $60 billion in raised funds and include new government buildings and a presidential palace. Critics are blasting the plan as wasteful when more than half the population lives in poverty and the government has let the current capital, Harare, fall apart. Columbus Mavhunga reports from Mount Hampden, Zimbabwe]]
((NARRATOR))
The Zimbabwe government says the community of Mount Hampden, a 30 minutes' drive from Harare, will be the site of "Zim Cyber City," which will replace Harare as the capital and relieve some of its congestion. Some of the construction is expected to be completed by year's end.
[[Radio: Monica Mutsvangwa, Zimbabwe Information Minister]]
((Monica Mutsvangwa, Zimbabwe Information Minister))
“Obviously, we are building the cyber city because there’s a market for it. There are Zimbabweans who can actually afford it. And we want our Zimbabweans, even those in diaspora: This is the time to come back home. They can’t continue to see the high-rise buildings abroad and not in Zimbabwe.”
((NARRATOR))
Some Zimbabweans in this farming area can’t wait for the project to begin.
[[Radio: Twenty-four-year-old Brighton Mutambara hopes to benefit once the project takes off.]]
((Brighton Mutambara, Mount Hampden Resident)) ((Shona)
“When construction starts, we will be employed for some jobs.”
((NARRATOR))
Others have already started building nearby, hoping to cash in by providing accommodation for the $60 billion project that UAE-based firm Mulk International is helping develop.
But some Zimbabweans want President Emmerson Mnangagwa to first address the country's economic problems and dilapidated power and water infrastructure. And that’s not all that needs fixing, says James Nehohwa, who opposes the project.
((James Nehohwa, Opposed to Zim Cyber City)) ((Eng. 16 secs))
“It’s not very wise to start by investing in a new city when roads have not been developed yet. Because you find that because of the current condition of the roads, potholes and all that, it’s causing accidents and damages to cars, etc.”
((NARRATOR))
Stephen Chan, a world politics professor at the School of Oriental and African Studies in the University of London, is also against building Zim Cyber City in Mount Hampden.
((Stephen Chan, World Politics Professor, University of London)) (Eng. 18 secs))
((Mandatory courtesy: Skype))
“This is for the Zimbabwean elite, the Mount Hampden. So that the poor people won’t get in their way. /// They can live by themselves and imagine they are in a separate world. I think this speaks to a big division in society which is not simply health for the future of Zimbabwe.”
((NARRATOR))
That advice might be falling on deaf ears as President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government seem determined to build, saying that it will help the economy and ease congestion in Harare. Plus, thanks to Chinese investment, a six-story $140 million parliament building has already been built on the cyber city site as a gift to Zimbabwe.
((Columbus Mavhunga, for VOA News, Mount Hampden, Zimbabwe))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateFebruary 1, 2023 08:55 EST
BylineColumbus Mavhunga
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
