A Water Revolution: Malimanao Community Celebrates the Restoration of the Water Pump

In the heart of the Malimanao community, in the administrative area of Nhamagua, an extraordinary celebration took place yesterday, marked by the official delivery of the restored water pump into the hands of António Dinis, the district administrator of Macossa, in Manica province. The event represented a significant step towards ensuring sustainable access to clean water for all members of the community.

António Dinis expressed deep gratitude to the DELPAZ Program, which actively supported the rehabilitation process of the water pumps. “We are very grateful to the DELPAZ Program for providing valuable support in the rehabilitation of our pumps. This will significantly contribute to the well-being of our communities,” stated the administrator. He also emphasized the importance of the community now taking responsibility for the maintenance and wise use of this vital resource.

The ceremony witnessed the delivery of an Afridev-type water pump, one of the seven recently restored by the DELPAZ Program. Rosita Panazache, representing the Malimanao community, shared her joy in finally seeing water easily accessible. “Now we can save time as it will no longer be necessary to travel long distances to fetch water from traditional wells,” she exclaimed.

Pedro Paunde, the community spokesperson, highlighted the importance of the pump not only in facilitating water access but also in disease prevention. “Water not only nourishes us but protects us from diseases. I appeal to all communities to enjoy the privilege of having their own water pump,” he declared.

The event was made even more special by the presence of Carlos Mairoce, representative of the Italian component of the DELPAZ Program, and Paolo Gomiero, representative of the NGO Helpcode. Sofrimento João Francisco, director of the Serviço Distrital de Planeamento e Infra-estruturas (SDPI), emphasized the commitment to sustainable development and the importance of infrastructure for community progress.

This celebration not only marks a significant step forward in providing safe and accessible water but also serves as a tangible example of how collaboration between organizations and communities can bring meaningful change for the benefit of all. A testament to hope and progress for the people of the Malimanao community and an inspiration for many other communities to pursue a better life through access to clean water.

Reflections and aspirations: the voices of DELPAZ beneficiaries in the provinces of Tete, Sofala and Manica

While the political scene in Maputo is fervently discussing the possibility of a National Reintegration Plan, stimulating an in-depth dialogue between the authorities and civil society, a path towards tangible change is already being taken in the provinces of Manica, Tete and Sofala. These steps, taken with determination, have already produced results that deserve to be supported and can constitute a solid starting point. However, the solution lies not only in policies and action plans, but above all in the direct experience and authentic voices of the protagonists of this transformation.

On 21 and 22 March, the International Conference on Post-Conflict Reintegration was held in Maputo, promoted by the Institute for Multiparty Democracy (IMD), under the high patronage of the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Combatants and the Secretariat for Peace (PPS). Among the participants, from the provinces of Tete, Sofala and Manica, the vibrant voices of Florinda, Rita, Mário, Graça, Anita, Isabel, Carménia and Carlota stood out.

For many of them, it was their first time in Maputo and they brought with them a message full of hope and urgency: “We want peace,” they declared emphatically. “We want to work the land, we are peasants. We want to grow our own food, send our children to school. We want to live in peace and for that we need your help.” Their words resonate with a palpable urgency, as they reflect essential needs: access to water, infrastructure, roads, markets, hospitals and schools.

The experiences recounted during the conference were moving and enlightening. Anita, her eyes still incredulous, commented on the sight of the abundance of water in Maputo’s hotels, contrasting it with the reality of her community, where water is a precious commodity that can only be reached after long journeys. Mário, impressed by the grandeur and vibrancy of the capital, thanked DELPAZ for bringing the borehole to his community and new agricultural practices, along with seeds and tools, expressing the importance of extending this type of project to all communities in need.

Florinda shared a feeling of gratitude and recognition: “We were nothing, but now we’re here talking and you’re listening to us. DELPAZ has made us visible.” These testimonies are a tangible reflection of the work done by DELPAZ, also evidenced by the distribution of the Declaration of Inhanzónia, a symbol of solidarity and inclusion promoted through the organisation of the solidarity camp in November last year in the Báruè district.

The role of women as local actors and leaders was particularly emphasised, with Carlota Inhamussua, an active DELPAZ Programme collaborator in Sofala Province, sharing significant experiences such as the savings project and the dream box. These activities aim not only to make tangible resources available, but also to stimulate the dreams and objectives of the communities involved, strengthening trust and people’s sense of belonging to their communities.

The road to peace and prosperity requires a collective and sustained commitment. When these communities begin to take the first steps towards change, it is crucial that they are not left on their own. They need time, support and resources to grow and continue to cultivate peace in their territories. Only through a shared commitment and lasting solidarity can a future of hope and prosperity be guaranteed for all Mozambican communities.

All of them demanded loudly not to be left alone, now that they are starting to ‘crawl’ and need more time and support so that they can ‘grow up’ and continue to cultivate peace in their communities.

DELPAZ, in partnership with the IMD, implemented by the AICS in Manica and Tete, and by the ADA in Sofala, with the support of the UNCFD, also contributes to this. In addition to water, infrastructure, access roads, seeds and new agricultural practices, it has stimulated the dreams of the communities most affected by armed violence, where DDR beneficiaries have returned to live together with their families.

As repeatedly expressed by the EU Ambassador to Mozambique, Antonino Maggiore, “As Mozambique’s partners, we are fully aware of the challenges we face in terms of reintegration and reconciliation; […] Peace and reconciliation can only be achieved through a thriving democracy and prosperity for the benefit of all Mozambican citizens.”

DELPAZ continues to consolidate fairer, more peaceful, and more resilient communities

Over 100 participants from 14 districts where DELPAZ is being implemented, in the provinces of Sofala, Manica, and Tete, together with partners, gathered yesterday in Chimoio (Manica) to reflect on four years of program implementation. They agreed that DELPAZ is consolidating fairer, more peaceful, and more resilient communities.

At the reflection seminar on experiences, lessons, and good practices of social inclusion, dialogue for peacebuilding, and gender balance in local development, participants emphasized that the most relevant experiences are focused on valuing diversity and promoting dialogue.

They highlighted greater participation of women, the recognition of local voices, the strengthening of community dialogue – which acknowledges and values local languages – equity of opportunities, reintegration of historically marginalized groups such as ex-combatants and conflict victims, as essential pathways to building a fairer, more peaceful, and more resilient society.

Speaking on the occasion, Osman Cossing, Program Coordinator at the Institute for Multiparty Democracy (IMD) – which organized the event – stated that “Peace is real when it is inclusive and voices are heard and valued,” stressing that “democracy begins with dialogue.”

Tony Mossio, DELPAZ coordinator for the local governance component through the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), noted that support was provided at all levels in an inclusive, participatory process, sensitive to cultural, gender, and ideological differences, despite initial challenges due to limited understanding of the program.

Meanwhile, Pedrito Cambrão, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at UniZambeze University, when addressing the theme “Peace, governance and inclusive local development in a post-conflict context”, underlined that without peace, everything is unstable and fragile. He insisted on the need for educational practices that heal the wounds of the past, consolidate dialogue, reconciliation, forgiveness, listening, and sharing.

“The rope that is not well tied comes undone with the first rain,” he remarked, alluding to the fact that if commitments in the Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration (DDR) process of Renamo ex-combatants are not treated seriously, “we risk reopening old wounds and losing the delicate thread that holds us together.”

Quoting the proverb “the river does not drink its own water”, he appealed to the executive power not to act for its own benefit and reinforced that “there is no peace that can endure without the people.”

Community Champions

The voices of community champions, who shared the transformations experienced in their lives and communities, were one of the highlights of the presentation of DELPAZ’s historical results, delivered by Giulia Zingaro of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). AICS implements DELPAZ in the provinces of Manica and Tete, with the support of Helpcode leading the NGO consortium in Manica and Save the Children in Tete.

Isac Cerveja, president of Ponto Verde in Báruè, Manica district, earned strong applause when he proudly declared: “We were small farmers, and now we are small entrepreneurs,” thanks to a broadened vision that recognizes agriculture as a driver of development.

“The expansion of Ponto Verde to five hectares enabled the purchase of an irrigation motor pump with our own resources from agricultural product sales, and now DELPAZ has provided a system capable of irrigating up to 60 hectares of farmland,” he said, also highlighting new market linkages, including participation at FACIM last year and again this year, as a key element for financial sustainability.

Similarly, Alcélia Aristide Saimon, another DELPAZ champion, explained that after completing a tailoring course, she now sews clothes to sell in remote communities with little access to clothing. In the poorest areas, she exchanges garments and school uniforms for maize, ensuring that children can attend school.

Armando Taunde expressed satisfaction with the inclusion of his children in vocational training across several practical fields, noted that their activities are progressing, and appealed for the program to be extended to other districts not yet covered by DELPAZ.

Independent consultants Luís Taiado and Nelson Moda presented preliminary results of a study focused on lessons and good practices of social inclusion, gender empowerment, dialogue for peacebuilding, and equitable local development. They pointed to broader and more active participation of women, including DDR beneficiaries, and emphasized that DELPAZ has successfully rooted itself in communities.

However, they cautioned that despite progress achieved, challenges remain, such as weak coordination among partners, local governments, and communities during DDR implementation, as well as perceptions of stigmatization and marginalization among some DDR members who still do not fully identify with the program.

Given the complexity of the Mozambican context, marked by periods of armed conflict and socio-political tensions, an appeal was made to strengthen dialogue, which has proven to be an indispensable tool for building sustainable peace.

The Secretary of State of Manica Province, Lourenço Lindone, who opened and closed the event, praised the engagement of cooperation partners in seeking resources to fund programs that improve the social lives of the population in the three provinces.

“The main lines of intervention of DELPAZ, [a program of the Government of Mozambique funded by the European Union] have complemented the efforts of central and local government in promoting good practices for harmonious social coexistence in communities,” stressed Lourenço Lindone.