The City of Masvingo in partnership with Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Charles Austin Theatre, and Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture , through the Department of Housing and Social Services under the Arts and Theatre Development programme, is currently hosting the primary schools drama festival, an initiative aimed at empowering young learners to express themselves creatively while addressing important life issues.

Running under the theme “Our Choices, Our Future,” the festival seeks to encourage pupils to make informed and responsible decisions that positively shape their lives and communities.

Through performing arts, the event provides a vibrant platform where children can communicate ideas, explore social issues, and showcase their creativity.

Nine primary schools from across the city are participating in this year’s edition of the festival. These include Runyararo Primary School, Shakashe Primary School, Vurombo Primary School, Francis Aphiri Primary School, Dikwindi Primary School, Don Bosco Primary School, Kyle Preparatory School, Farmark Primary School, and Helen McGhie Primary School.

Each participating school is presenting a drama performance lasting a maximum of 15 minutes, tackling themes that reflect the importance of making responsible choices in everyday life.

The drama festival was conceptualized as part of ongoing efforts by council to promote youth development, arts education, and community engagement among primary school learners.

By using drama as a powerful educational tool, the programme aims to address contemporary social challenges in a way that is engaging and relatable for young audiences.

Beyond entertainment, the festival plays a critical role in helping pupils develop essential life skills such as confidence, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. It also nurtures talent in the performing arts while promoting cultural appreciation and creativity among young learners.

Over the years, the primary schools drama festival has grown into an important annual event on the city’s calendar, strengthening partnerships between schools, council, and the wider community.

Through this festival, young learners are not only given a stage to perform but also an opportunity to reflect on how their choices today can shape a better future for themselves and their communities.

After months of construction, the facility is stepping out from behind the scaffolding and into its role as a lifesaver for local mothers.

The project, which was a top priority in the city’s 2025 budget has officially hit its final completion milestones

City of Masvingo is set to officially open the newly constructed truck stop as the project reaches 100 percent physical completion of construction works, marking a significant milestone in the city’s efforts to improve transport infrastructure and support economic growth.

The truck stop facility is expected to provide a safe and convenient space for long-distance truck drivers to rest, park, and access essential services.

As Masvingo continues to position itself as a strategic transport and logistics hub along major national routes, the completion and opening of the truck stop will play a key role in supporting efficient cargo movement while improving urban order and service delivery.

Masvingo wasn’t just observing a date on the calendar today, the city was alive with energy as residents, leaders, and local partners gathered to celebrate the belated International Women’s Day under the theme, ‘Rights, Justice, Action for All Women’.

It was a day dedicated to more than just a march, exhibition and speeches, but real action, from health services to business opportunities.

The event saw a powerful turnout, with Senior and Junior Councillors, Council management, and Alderman Maridza leading the way. Their presence sent a clear message that in Masvingo, women’s development isn’t a side project, it’s at the heart of the community’s progress.

A colossal range of organizations pitched in, including SMEDCO, ZHRC, EBEN Hardware, Zimbabwe Population Services, Media houses, ZPS, SGDZT, ZRP, CBAP, Masvingo Wheel chair tennis, NCPDZ, MUSASA, City Health, Rujeko and Runyararo Primary drummies, ZGC, WCOZ, Zimbabwe Homeless people’s Federation, Bhaso, Masvingo Flora, MWACSMED, Friendship Bench, Emmanuel Homestead, Takeltien, ZIMRA, Old Mutual, CBAP, WEDO Organisation, Stoneworks leather craft.

The day focused heavily on putting tools directly into women’s hands, through business growth. Entrepreneurs were encouraged to step up and take advantage of the City of Masvingo’s affirmative procurement thus 13% of the 2026 budgeted tenders for the City set aside for women, youths and vulnerable groups.

Women were also encouraged to take advantage of free hands-on trainings by the department of Housing and Social Services. The department offers practical workshops in baking and sewing, proving that economic independence often starts with a single skill.

The City Health Department, alongside other NGOs turned the celebration into a hub for wellness. They provided essential HIV and AIDS, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services on-site, ensuring that women have the resources they need to take charge of their own futures.

Leaving no one behind, the event attracted even young primary school going girls. With students from Rujeko and Runyararo Primary Schools watching on and providing entertainment. The event was a bridge between generations. By honoring the achievements of women today, Masvingo is showing its young girls exactly what they are capable of achieving.

As the sun set on the celebrations, the message from the City was clear: Masvingo remains a place where women aren’t just included but are leading the way toward a more resilient and inclusive future.

The enduring 40-year partnership between the City of Masvingo and the German – Zimbabwe Association today reached another milestone as the German-Zimbabwe Society visited Masvingo to deliver a fresh wave of financial support to local vulnerable groups.

During the visit, the Society donated USD 2,300 to be shared among three critical institutions: Mucheke Old People’s Home – USD 300, Alfred Walter Hostel – USD 300, and Alpha Cottages USD 1700. The gesture is part of a long-standing twinning arrangement that has become a cornerstone of social development in the city.

Beyond simple charity, the partnership has focused on sustainable development and improving essential service delivery. Over the years, the society has been instrumental in mobilizing resources for high-impact projects, including:

Healthcare Infrastructure: The construction of Runyararo Clinic, provision of state-of-the-art ambulances, and medical equipment for Masvingo General and Morgenster Hospitals.

Green Energy: The installation of a 5KV solar system and water storage at Runyararo Clinic.

Social Safety Nets: The expansion of Alpha Cottages Orphanage and the construction of the Alfred Walter Hostel.

Economic Empowerment: Microfinance initiatives for community business development through Zambuko.

The partnership has also proven its agility during times of crisis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Society provided critical oxygen concentrators and has consistently supported the city’s sanitation efforts by providing refuse compactors.

The recent USD 2,280 donation is intended to complement previous investments, ensuring that the elderly at Mucheke and the children at Alpha Cottages and Alfred Walter Hostel continue to receive adequate care in a supportive environment.

This partnership has flourished through mutual respect, solidarity, and a shared commitment to improved service delivery.

Food handlers operating at Garikai Market today underwent a training session aimed at improving food safety standards and promoting proper hygiene practices among restaurants involved in food preparation and sales.

The training sought to standardise food preparation practices within the Central Business District (CBD) and Garikai Market, reinforcing the message that food safety standards must remain consistent regardless of where food is prepared or sold.

The session was facilitated by Ms. Mutano, the Area Environmental Health Technician (EHT), who provided practical guidance on proper food handling procedures, personal hygiene, and safe food preparation practices.

Participants were also educated on the importance of maintaining clean working environments and adhering to health regulations in order to prevent food-borne illnesses.

Opening remarks were delivered by Mrs. Matava, who emphasised the critical role food handlers play in protecting public health. She encouraged restaurant operators and their staff to uphold high standards of cleanliness and professionalism in their daily operations.

In a positive demonstration of collaboration and commitment to improved sanitation, one of the restaurant owners at the market donated 10 refuse bins to support proper waste management among restaurants operating within Garikai Market.

The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to safeguard public health and ensure that residents receive safe and hygienically prepared meals.

The City of Masvingo, in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), is currently conducting a three-day Gender Management Training Workshop aimed at strengthening gender mainstreaming within the local authority and enhancing the capacity of councillors, management, and staff to address gender-related issues in the workplace and community.

The workshop is providing an intensive learning and engagement platform focused on promoting gender equality, preventing gender-based violence (GBV), and fostering inclusive service delivery.

Participants are exploring various critical topics surrounding gender-based violence, including the forms of GBV, its root causes, and its impact on individuals, families, and communities.

Discussions underway are focusing on how social, cultural, and economic factors contribute to gender-based violence and the importance of coordinated responses to effectively address the issue.

A key component of the training is the examination of referral pathways for GBV survivors, highlighting the role of institutions in ensuring that victims receive timely support and access to essential services such as counselling, medical care, legal assistance, and protection services.

The workshop is also focusing on gender mainstreaming, equipping participants with practical knowledge on how to integrate gender perspectives into council policies, programmes, and service delivery processes.

This approach ensures that the needs and interests of both women and men are considered in decision-making and development planning.

Another important area being covered during the training is sexual harassment in the workplace, where participants are discussing the different forms it can take, the importance of creating safe and respectful working environments, and mechanisms for reporting and addressing cases when they arise.

City of Masvingo is currently working towards promoting gender equality, preventing gender-based violence, and creating an inclusive and safe working environment for all employees and and the community, and the training marks an important step in strengthening institutional capacity to effectively mainstream gender considerations in governance and service delivery while contributing to broader national and global efforts to eliminate gender-based violence.