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In the rugged remoteness of northern Zimbabwe, where land and water sprawl like great tapestries and silence is only broken by the call of wild birds or the distant roar of a lion, the people of Chitenge under Chief Mola of Kariba have long lived with the burden of distance—a cruel separation from medical help. Here, nestled close to the banks of Lake Kariba and the wooded horizons of Matusadonha National Park, life is beautiful, wild, and often unforgiving.
But now, a different story is unfolding—one not of isolation, but of hope brought to life by a partnership between Padenga Agribusiness, the Ministry of Health, and the local community. It is a tale of transformation, told not just in kilometers shortened but in lives improved and pain relieved.
The Journey to Mola: Through Water and Wilderness
The journey begins at the port in Kariba town, where the vast sheet of water stretches endlessly under the golden sun. A boat slices across the lake, its motor humming a determined rhythm, carrying a team of journalists across 72 kilometers of open water. They are on their way to learn more about access to healthcare in this area. The boat skips past fishermen casting their nets, past islands that seem untouched by time, until we reach the banks near Ume Crocodile Farm, Padenga’s operational base in the district.
From the jetty, we board a Land Cruiser, the only kind of vehicle fit for what lies ahead—a 25-kilometer drive on a gravel road snaking through the wilds of Matusadonha National Park. Trees arch over the path like watchful sentinels. Dust plumes rise in our wake as baboons scurry off the road and the occasional elephant lumbers in the distance. This is a land where the natural world still holds dominion, and where modernity only arrives on the back of resilience and sheer determination.
Eventually, we reach Mola Clinic—a modest facility serving a sprawling catchment of 7,296 people. Remote, yes. But now, not forgotten.
A Community Once Forgotten, Now Remembered
“Before this initiative, people in Mola faced two grim options,” explains Chief Mola, his voice resonating with both gratitude and memory. “You either braved a 72-kilometer boat journey to Kariba or travelled over 260 kilometers of poor roads to Magunje. That’s if you had the money or strength to do it. Many didn’t.”
That reality is now changing. Padenga Agribusiness, through its corporate social responsibility arm, has initiated a regular medical outreach program that brings doctors from Kariba directly to the people. Not just that—they have also invested in refurbishing the aging infrastructure of the clinic, ensuring it is not only accessible but equipped to handle the growing needs of the community.
“We realized the importance of improving the quality of life in our community,” says Mike Ncube, General Manager at Padenga Agribusiness’ Ume Farm. “So, we stepped in—not just to renovate the clinic, but to reduce the distance people must travel to see a doctor. That’s why we now bring in a medical doctor from Kariba to conduct outreach programs at Mola Clinic.”
And the results are visible. On the most recent visit, 84 patients received consultations, diagnoses, and prescriptions—free of charge.
Healing Stories from the Heartland
Esther Siamburo, a woman in her 60s, beams as she shares her story. “My hand had been in pain for months,” she says. “I couldn’t afford the journey to town. But thanks to Padenga, I saw Dr. Muza right here in Mola. He gave me medicine, and now I feel much better. May they continue with this work.”
Masuaka Karingiramambo, 49, also benefitted. “I didn’t have to spend money I don’t have travelling to Kariba. The doctor was here, and I got free medication. I thank Padenga with all my heart.”
For 35-year-old Kudzaishe Kanda, the outreach was life-changing. “I had been suffering from gwapa,” he says, referring to scabies. “It was painful and embarrassing. The doctor gave me medicine, and the condition is almost gone now.”
These stories, while personal, are echoed across the village. The clinic is now more than just a building. It is a lifeline.
The Nurse’s Perspective: Fighting Disease with Hope
Mr. Brighton Chalibamba, the Nurse-in-Charge at Mola Clinic, has seen the impact firsthand.
“The intervention by Padenga has improved the situation significantly,” he says. “Villagers can now see a doctor closer to home, which was something unimaginable before. The community used to suffer in silence.”
He explains that the clinic is currently fighting a malaria outbreak, and the support from Padenga—both in personnel and infrastructure—has been critical in that battle.
“Having the clinic in good working condition has helped us a lot,” he adds. “During the outreach, we attended to patients suffering from chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and epilepsy, as well as other general ailments. It is the community’s hope that these outreaches continue regularly. They are making a real difference.”
Local Leadership: United for Health
Local leaders have also praised the initiative. Tight Bhusvumani, Councillor for Ward 3 in the Nyaminyami Rural District Council (NRDC), says the impact has been nothing short of revolutionary.
“Our ward has 37 village heads and a population of around 9,000,” he says. “This outreach shortens the distance to healthcare. Padenga is complementing government efforts in a meaningful, visible way.”
Goodward Siyabwanda of Ward 1 adds a vital observation: “In our parts, medical care must be accessed during the day because wild animals roam at night. People were taking risks to seek help. But now, with the doctor coming here, villagers don’t need to expose themselves to danger or hardship.”
More Than Just Corporate Responsibility
What Padenga Agribusiness has done in Mola is more than a tick on a CSR checklist. It is an act of deliberate, ongoing community empowerment. By choosing to bring medical professionals into the heart of the rural district, and by investing in physical infrastructure, the company is anchoring itself not only as a business but as a partner in development.
The journey to Mola remains a tough one—across water, gravel, and game trails—but for the people who live here, that journey is no longer a solitary one. Padenga has stepped in, and in doing so, has helped bring dignity, health, and hope to a place too long overlooked.
And so, as the sun sets over Lake Kariba, painting the sky in hues of gold and flame, the people of Mola can sleep a little easier—knowing that when sickness knocks, help is not hundreds of kilometers away. It is here, among them, thanks to a boat across the lake, a drive through the wild, and a company that chose to care.
