Ngezi River

 

Ngezi river

Our garden

                    

This is Ngezi river which marks the boundary between Zvishavane and Mberengwa. The river stretches from Matebeleland North and it is a tributary of Runde river. 

This river is a source of life for the people in Mazvihwa area which is my home area as well as people across the river which is the Mberengwa side. People are surviving because of this river. There is a lot of fishing in this river and people are making a living out of it. Some people are also farming, thus they have vegetable gardens which they depend on. People normally take their crops to the market almost on daily basis. The most common crops are vegetables, tomatoes, green mealies, Onions and sugar cane. The river also supplies water at Murowa Diamond mine and the dams are always full due to this reason. 

However the river has also dangerous animals such as crocodiles and hippos. Hippos are the most feared  animals in this area as they usual become aggressive when they see human beings. They also destroy crops in all the gardens along the river which would then disturb progress or success of the farmers at times. Crocodiles are also a danger to animals such as cattle and goats, as well as human beings at other times. Despite all these challenges, people in this area know very well how to deal with these hippos and crocodiles. 

Ngezi river is also decorated with a variety of wild fruits such as hute, nyani, shuma, figs etc. Usually the young boys who would be looking after cattle feed on these fruits. More over there is a lot of reeds in this river, so quiet a number of old people make use of them in creating sleeping mats (mhasa/rupasa)  These mats are also found in the market and people are making a living because of them. It is because of this river that many people are not willing to migrate to other places where there are better soils. Ngezi river is at the heart of my people and it shall continue to be the source of life for generations to come.