Housing is a basic human need, and long before the policy language became common, development experts placed shelter for humankind at the top of priorities. Humane foresight understands that dignity cannot exist without a safe place to live.
For some families, decent housing may sound like a distant goal. But for those whose homes are overcrowded, unsafe, and unfit for everyday life, shelter is not a luxury. It is the foundation for health, productivity, community stability, and national development.
Over the years, the story of Matapi Flats has dominated public attention. Many have raised concerns about its deplorable conditions, conditions that too often turned what should have been a refuge into a breeding ground for crime, a hotspot for disease outbreaks, and a setting that weakened family safety and unity.
That is why, time and again, proposals have emerged: some calling for demolition, others pushing for rehabilitation. Each argument shared one end goal: to transform Matapi Flats into a homely, secure, and healthier environment for residents.
In development practice, upgrading a human habitat is never “just construction.” It is risk reduction, public health protection, and community recovery. Whether the pathway is rehabilitation or demolition followed by reconstruction, the purpose remains the same: to advance human welfare and move communities closer to decent housing standards, without leaving anyone behind.
That is why I was particularly encouraged to hear that Engineer Collins Takunda Mnangagwa, a new generation entrepreneur and community builder, took it upon himself to upgrade Matapi Flats for the benefit of the broader Mbare community under the ED AID1 programme. This intervention comes at a time when the city is pursuing broader efforts to improve urban living conditions, including measures against unlawful structures. But what makes this stand out is that it reflects something deeper than compliance. It reflects human-centred development, backed by intentional philanthropy.
As a development practitioner with close to two decades of experience, I understand the urgency of direct community intervention: ensuring that the hungry are fed, the sick are supported, the poor are protected, and the vulnerable are not abandoned. I have managed communications for local and international organisations during humanitarian responses and disaster management operations, including the Tokwe Mukosi Floods disaster of 2014 in Masvingo,and the Cyclone Idai response of 2021 in Chimanimani and Chipinge, where lives were upended quickly,and families became homeless, hungry, and overwhelmed.
In such moments, people do not have the comfort of choosing where help should come from, or who should qualify. The first assistance received can become another chance at life. That is why this Mbare rehabilitation initiative, regardless of how anyone frames it under programme branding, deserves respect for what it truly is: a timely act of care for people who need it now.
So, the Matapi Flats initiative should be assessed not merely as a housing project, but as a visible expression of philanthropy and development leadership. The intervention addresses a situation that was becoming a disaster in slow motion; socially, medically, and physically. Rehabilitation here functions as prevention. It helps protect residents before harm worsens, before outbreaks spread, before families lose more than they can afford to lose.
At a time when many large institutions can appear slow to respond, Engineer Collins Mnangagwa’s choice stands out. Many people speak about responsibility; fewer translate it into action at ground level. A stitch in time saves nine, and in Matapi Flats, that stitch is both timely and humane.
Engineer Collins Takunda Mnangagwa has built ventures across mining, logistics, and energy, while also creating employment, nurturing talent, and supporting vulnerable communities, often without needing mainstream visibility. The rehabilitation in Mbare fits that pattern: community development delivered with purpose, with a commitment to the people who live in the spaces society sometimes forgets.
Matapi Flats is not merely a location. For residents, it holds memories shaped by years of neglect, daily struggle, and emotional uncertainty. Rehabilitation matters not only for infrastructure, but for confidence, safety, and the restoration of dignity. When youth and new-generation leaders take responsibility for community welfare, it sends a powerful message: concern for humanity still exists, even when public systems fail to respond at the pace required.
The project is further strengthened by its position within the broader ED AID1 community intervention framework at the international level. This matters in Zimbabwe as the country continues to pursue development priorities under National Development Strategy 2, priorities that emphasise improved livelihoods, community resilience, inclusive growth, and the reduction of vulnerability. It also aligns with the spirit of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on health, safe communities, reduced inequalities, and decent housing.
Engineer Collins Mnangagwa has also been recognised for leadership and impact, including awards such as 40 Under 40 Businessman of the Year (Institute of Corporate Directors Zimbabwe), 40 Under 40 Project Manager of the Year (Chartered Institute of Project Managers Zimbabwe), Outstanding CEO (Zimbabwe CEO’s Network), and the Exceptional Community Leadership Award (Community Builders in Africa Awards). These accolades do not replace the need for measurable outcomes, but they do reflect capacity for execution and responsibility in real-world settings.
Good times have come to Mbare, and to Matapi Flats in particular. On this occasion, we salute the kind of leadership that does not wait for applause before serving the community. To Engineer Collins Takunda Mnangagwa, may this be only the beginning of many more community interventions under the ED AID1 banner.
Zimbabwe is watching. And hope for disadvantaged communities must keep rising.
About the Writer: Takemore Mazuruse is a youth advocate, journalist and development practitioner with close to two decades of experience working with both local and international development organisations in Zimbabwe and beyond.
