By Beatific Gumbwanda
Bernadette Chipembere Tamba has made history by becoming the first female chairperson of the Zimbabwe Sugarcane Development Association (ZSDA), outshining her former lecturer, Professor Munashe Shoko, in the elections held recently.
Tamba won with 63 votes followed by Professor Shoko who garnered 45 votes and Darlington Moyo with two votes at the organisation’s second Elective Annual General Meeting held at Mkwasine Country Club since its split in 2019.
Professor Munashe Shoko is Tamba’s former lecturer at Great Zimbabwe University (GZU)’s department of Agriculture and Natural Science where she did a certificate in Sugarcane Farming.
Gabriel Tondhlana, who served as the Secretary General during the last board, decisively defeated Jameson Mbiri with 76 votes to 38.
Solten Financial Managing Director Saul Chin’anga, who was the Secretary for Information and Publicity, was elected vice chairperson after garnering 67 votes against Ezra Makaza’s 37 votes and Martin Chaza’s who got 10 votes.
Effort Mtombeni retained his position as treasurer after beating Nelson Muhawu with 86 votes to 22, while veteran journalist and sugarcane farmer George Maponga was uncontested to replace Chin’anga as Secretary for Information and Publicity.
Speaking before the election, outgoing Chairperson Elisha Tamirepi urged members to maintain a unified purpose and to empower farmers for maximum yields.
“What the future holds for the Association is rooted in our past accomplishments, our current efforts, and the actions of the incoming Executive. Our goal is to enable farmers to produce over 120 tons per hectare and to diversify into profitable ventures.
“With the new executive taking over, we look forward to completing our stand construction and expanding the Association’s tillage unit. I encourage the newly elected team to build on the work done by the previous committee in order to further the interests of the entire Association,” said Tamirepi.
In her acceptance speech, Tamba promised to enhance representation and assured farmers that the Zimbabwe Sugarcane Development Association (ZSDA) will undergo significant changes.
Tamba and team will face several challenges, including the establishment of a new mill in Mkwasine and the construction of Mkazi Dam in Mkwasine.
