Community Health Clubs continue to play a vital role in promoting environmental cleanliness and safeguarding public health across our communities.

In a remarkable display of commitment and teamwork, members recently acted swiftly to extinguish a fire caused by burning waste along a roadside while conducting routine clean-up activities in their neighbourhood.

The dedicated volunteers worked tirelessly to clear illegal dumping sites, remove litter, and contain the fire before it could spread and pose a danger to nearby residents, property, and the environment.

Their proactive efforts reflect the growing spirit of community participation in maintaining clean, safe, and healthy surroundings for all.

Masvingo City Health applauds the continued dedication of these community champions who are sacrificing their time and energy to promote environmental sustainability and public safety. Their efforts serve as an inspiration to the wider community to take collective responsibility in keeping our city clean and safe.

The City of Masvingo has convened a three-day induction workshop for School Development Committees (SDCs) drawn from council-run schools, in a move aimed at strengthening governance, accountability, and effective management within the education sector.

The workshop, officially opened by Town Clerk Eng Edward Mukaratirwa, brings together newly appointed SDC members to equip them with the knowledge and skills required to execute their duties efficiently and in line with national standards.

Speaking at the opening session, Eng Mukaratirwa emphasized the critical role played by SDCs in supporting the delivery of quality education, noting that well-informed committees are key to fostering transparency and development in schools.

The training programme is designed to capacitate participants on their roles and responsibilities, while clearly distinguishing their functions from those of school heads.

It also outlines the duties of the responsible authority, in this case the City of Masvingo, in ensuring proper oversight and support to schools.

Key focus areas of the workshop include promoting good corporate governance practices, equipping SDC members with basic financial management procedures, and providing guidance on recruitment and disciplinary processes.

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Participants are also being introduced to the national employment code of conduct to ensure compliance with established regulations.

The District Schools Inspector, Mr Ishmael Chigaba – Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is currently facilitating sessions on the legal framework governing the establishment of School Development Committes, including procedures for SDC elections as well as handover and takeover processes. He is also providing detailed insights into the roles, responsibilities, and core functions of SDC members, aligning with the mandate of government through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

This initiative underscores Council’s commitment to strengthening institutional capacity within its schools and ensuring that governance structures operate effectively for the benefit of learners, educators, and the wider community

The City of Masvingo is set to enhance citizen participation in local governance through the training of its newly established Stakeholder Budget Committee (SBC), a move aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in public financial management.

The SBC, which brings together representatives from residents’ associations, the business community, government ministries, youth, women’s groups, religious organizations, and other special interest groups, is a key platform designed to institutionalise citizen involvement in council budgeting processes. The initiative reflects the City’s broader commitment to inclusive governance and responsive service delivery.

The training programme is being supported under the Good Governance in Local Authorities (GGLA) Project, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The project is co-funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the European Union, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. Masvingo is among 20 local authorities benefiting from the programme, which seeks to strengthen gender-equitable, transparent, and accountable governance systems in Zimbabwe.

While the SBC has already been established with clear Terms of Reference, its effectiveness depends on the capacity of its members to understand key aspects of public financial management. These include the budget cycle, governance structures, consultation strategies, and monitoring mechanisms.

The City of Masvingo yesterday held a pass-out parade for its municipal police officers, marking the successful completion of their training programme and the induction of a new cohort into service.

The colourful ceremony, held at Civic Centre Offices saw municipal police officers graduating after undergoing rigorous training designed to equip them with the skills and discipline required to enforce by-laws and maintain order within the city.

His Worship the Mayor Cllr Aleck Tabe, Councillors, Town Clerk Eng Edward Mukaratirwa, management, and invited guests attended the event to witness the milestone, which underscores the local authority’s commitment to strengthening public safety and service delivery.

In his remarks, His Worship the Mayor Cllr Aleck Tabe commended the graduates for their dedication and urged them to uphold professionalism, integrity, and respect in the execution of their duties.

The officers were reminded of their critical role in ensuring compliance with municipal by-laws, promoting order, and fostering a safe environment for residents and businesses.

The pass-out parade forms part of ongoing efforts by the City of Masvingo to expand and professionalise its municipal police unit, ensuring that it remains responsive to the needs of a growing urban population.

The newly inducted officers are expected to be deployed across the city to support traffic management, enforce council regulations, and enhance community safety.

The City of Masvingo today convened a stakeholder engagement meeting aimed at consolidating the Voluntary Local Review (VLR) on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The meeting brought together key stakeholders from various sectors to reflect on the progress made by the City in implementing the global development agenda while also identifying existing challenges.

The engagement provided a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and the sharing of insights that will contribute to a comprehensive review of how the City is aligning its development initiatives with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Participants discussed different programmes and initiatives being undertaken within the City that contribute toward sustainable development. The discussions also highlighted areas that require further improvement, ensuring that the City continues to strengthen its efforts toward inclusive and sustainable urban development.

The Sustainable Development Goals are a universal call to action aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. Through the Voluntary Local Review process, the City of Masvingo seeks to track its contribution toward these global goals while strengthening accountability, transparency, and stakeholder participation in local development.

The atmosphere at Eastvale Play Centre was vibrant and full of excitement as residents turned up in large numbers carrying recyclable materials to sell, marking a strong community response to the City of Masvingo’s recycling initiative.

Community members arrived with various sorted recyclables, demonstrating growing awareness of the importance of proper waste management and environmental responsibility. The initiative aims to encourage residents to separate waste at source while transforming recyclable materials into a valuable resource.

A key highlight of the program is the opportunity for residents to open accounts where they can securely save and accumulate earnings from the recyclables they bring. Once their savings reach meaningful amounts, residents are able to redeem the funds, making the initiative not only environmentally beneficial but also a practical income-generating opportunity for households.

The program is already beginning to make a positive impact within the community by promoting cleanliness, reducing waste, and providing an innovative way for residents to earn from materials that would otherwise be discarded.

All Eastvale residents are encouraged to take part in this initiative by separating their waste at household level and bringing recyclables every Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Eastvale Play Centre.

Through collective effort, the Eastvale community is demonstrating how waste can be turned into value while contributing to a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environment.

The City of Masvingo’s Engineering Services Department is currently undertaking road marking works in the Central Business District (CBD) as part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety, traffic management, and orderliness.

The exercise involves repainting lane dividers and traffic guidance markings along key streets within the CBD.

These improvements are aimed at enhancing visibility for motorists and pedestrians, especially during peak traffic periods and low-light conditions.

The works are also expected to improve and promote disciplined use of available road space by motorists and public transport operators.

Motorists are being urged to exercise caution in areas where works are still in progress and to comply with temporary traffic management arrangements.

Once completed, the road marking program is expected to significantly enhance road user safety and strengthen the overall appearance of the city.

The City of Masvingo Health Department has commended churches that actively participated in the April Easter Clean-Up Campaign, demonstrating a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and community cleanliness.

The campaign saw various churches coming together to clean their surroundings, reinforcing the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy environment for all residents. Their participation reflects the vital role that faith-based organisations play in promoting responsible community behaviour and environmental care.

Following the clean-up exercise, the City supported the participating churches with non-food hygiene items, including handwashing buckets and hand soap, to strengthen ongoing hygiene practices at their church premises.

This initiative highlights the importance of collaboration between City of Masvingo and faith-based organisations in building clean, healthy, and environmentally responsible communities.

The City Health Services Department encourages more community groups, institutions, and residents to take part in similar initiatives aimed at keeping Masvingo clean and safe for everyone.

City of Masvingo is pleased to report significant progress in the ongoing development of sports facilities at Mucheke Stadium. The project marks an important milestone in the city’s efforts to promote inclusive sport, youth development, and community well-being.

Construction of the first multi-purpose sports court has now been successfully completed. The facility has been designed to accommodate both tennis and volleyball, providing a versatile sporting space for athletes and the wider community.

Work has already commenced on the second multi-purpose court, which will also cater for both sports. Council aims to complete additional courts before June in preparation for the upcoming Disability Expo, ensuring that the venue is ready to host events at the required standard.

Beyond the courts themselves, Council has also completed fencing of the entire B Arena courts section, a key milestone that enhances security and clearly defines the facility.

In line with the City’s commitment to inclusivity, a disability-friendly toilet facility is currently under construction, ensuring that the stadium infrastructure is accessible and welcoming to everyone, including people with disabilities.

The development of these facilities places people with disabilities at the centre of planning and implementation. Council recognises that disability sport must be supported through accessible infrastructure and dedicated programming.

To ensure meaningful use of the courts, Council will engage directly with disability sport organisations and associations to understand their programmes and scheduling needs.

Court allocations will prioritise disability sport activities, ensuring that access to the facilities is structured and guaranteed.

In addition, Council plans to introduce purpose-built sports programmes specifically designed for athletes with disabilities, including those participating in wheelchair tennis. These initiatives will support both recreational participation and competitive sport, helping athletes develop their skills while promoting inclusive community engagement.

Youth development remains one of the most important expected outcomes of this project. By investing in modern and accessible sports infrastructure at Mucheke Stadium, the City is creating a safe and productive environment where young people can engage in positive activities.

Sport is a powerful tool for keeping youth active, focused, and motivated. Access to well-maintained sports facilities helps reduce the risks associated with idle time, including exposure to drugs and other harmful influences.

To maximise the impact of the new courts, the City will establish structured youth sports programmes featuring regular training sessions, coaching opportunities, inter-school and community competitions, and development pathways for talented young athletes.

The City will also collaborate with schools, youth organisations, and community leaders to ensure that the facilities are actively used, particularly during critical hours such as after school and weekends. Experienced coaches and mentors will be engaged to guide young athletes while also serving as positive role models.

The multi-purpose design of the courts, accommodating both tennis and volleyball, ensures that a wider range of young people can participate, regardless of their sporting interests or abilities. The City believes that every young person deserves the opportunity to participate in sport and realise their potential.

With construction progressing steadily, the City of Masvingo remains confident that the upgraded facilities at Mucheke Stadium will soon become a hub for inclusive sport, youth empowerment, and community development.