The spirit of healthy competition and administrative synergy took center stage on Friday the 13th of March 2026, as the City of Masvingo hosted the Inter-Municipal Schools Athletics Competitions.

In a display of both athletic prowess and strategic thinking, Ruwa Local Board emerged as the overall champions, clinching the top spot in a tightly contested field, while City of Masvingo clinched the diamond position.

The event brought together learners from council-run schools across Zimbabwe to compete in track and field events, chess, and Physical Education displays. Beyond the medals, the games serve as a vital platform for council schools to exchange ideas and foster development through sport.

The Leaderboard reflected a high level of preparation across the participating local authorities:

Ruwa Local Board (Winners)

City of Masvingo (second)

City of Kadoma (third)

City of Mutare (forth)

City of Kwekwe (fifth)

Guest of Honour, His Worship the Mayor, Cllr Aleck Tabe, emphasized that the primary objective of these games is to promote sport within council schools while creating a network for mutual learning.

The event’s success has already sparked expansion interest. Delegates from Redcliff Municipality and the City of Gweru attended as observers, with official plans to join the next edition of the games.

The presence of various Mayors, Councillors, Town Clerks, and Directors of Housing from across the country underscored the administrative weight behind these youth development initiatives.

City of Masvingo is not slowing down as the host city for this year’s circuit, the local authority has a busy calendar ahead:

Second Term: Masvingo will host the Inter-Municipal Ball Games.

Third Term: The focus will shift to Cultural Activities, celebrating the heritage and arts of the participating regions.

The games concluded with a sense of unity, proving that while only one city takes home the trophy, the true winner is the development of the Zimbabwean learner.

The City of Masvingo today hosted the Ambassador of Sweden to Zimbabwe, Per Lindgärde, who visited the city to appreciate the progress and impact of the Masvingo Floriculture Project supported by Gender Links.

The visit highlighted the strong partnership between Sweden and Zimbabwe in advancing sustainable development, gender equality and inclusive economic empowerment.

Welcoming the Ambassador and delegation, Masvingo Mayor, Cllr Aleck Tabe expressed gratitude for Sweden’s continued support to development initiatives that uplift communities and promote gender-responsive programmes.

The Masvingo Floriculture Project was described as a key Local Economic Development initiative that is empowering women and youth while creating sustainable livelihoods.

Launched in 2023 with 50 beneficiaries, the project has grown into a vibrant community enterprise driven by a flower arrangement Small Business Unit (SBU), which generates more than 80 percent of the project’s turnover. Beyond flower production, the initiative focuses on value addition and the development of a local floriculture value chain through an out-grower model.

Beneficiaries have also received training in financial literacy, leadership and corporate governance, equipping them with skills necessary to manage sustainable businesses.

As part of strengthening financial independence, the project also established internal savings and lending clubs with 17 members.

Speaking during the visit, Ambassador Lindgärde emphasized that gender equality remains a key priority for the Swedish government, particularly in empowering women and girls to participate fully in economic development.

He reaffirmed that Sweden will continue to be a strong partner to Zimbabwe, not only through bilateral cooperation but also through regional development strategies with greater focus on investment and trade.

The City of Masvingo reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive development through its 2026 budget, which stands at US$31,941,996.57. Council has 294 tenders valued at US$21,601,297.00 on pipeline to improve service delivery and infrastructure. Of these, 13 percent of the tenders are reserved for women and youth under Affirmative Procurement initiatives, amounting to US$404,351, demonstrating Council’s commitment to empowering women and young entrepreneurs.

Council also continues to support Local Economic Development initiatives through a structured contribution model that includes Human Resources Support (5%), Financial Support (20%), Infrastructure Services and Maintenance (40%), Capacity Building (25%) and Market Development (10%). These efforts ensure that community-based projects such as the floriculture initiative remain sustainable and impactful.

City of Masvingo Town Clerk, Eng. Edward Mukaratirwa assured stakeholders that the floriculture project will remain sustainable even after the close-out of the programme implemented by Gender Links with funding from the Swedish government.

He noted that the project will serve as a foundation for larger Local Economic Development initiatives in the future.

The visit by Ambassador Lindgärde reaffirmed the importance of international partnerships in promoting inclusive economic opportunities, gender equality and sustainable urban development in Masvingo. City officials expressed optimism that the floriculture initiative will continue to grow into a thriving sector supplying both local and regional markets while empowering women entrepreneurs.

City of Masvingo Truck Stop Construction Nears Completion

The construction of the City of Masvingo’s truck stop has reached an advanced stage, with most of the major works now completed as the project moves towards finalisation.

Key construction milestones achieved include the completion of brickwork, plumbing, electrical connection, and solar installation, as well as the ceiling and internal painting, marking significant progress in the development of the facility.

With the main structural and internal works now finished, efforts are currently focused on clearing the surrounding land, which is underway to prepare the site for the final stages of the project.

Once completed, the truck stop is expected to enhance service delivery to transport operators and motorists while supporting orderly parking and improved infrastructure within the city.

The facility will also contribute to the broader economic activity in Masvingo, providing a dedicated and well-serviced space for long-distance truck drivers.

The development forms part of ongoing infrastructure initiatives by the City of Masvingo aimed at improving urban services and strengthening the city’s capacity to support trade, logistics, and economic growth.

The City of Masvingo successfully hosted a vibrant Wellness Day event aimed at promoting health and well-being among residents, bringing together various organisations and community members in a powerful demonstration of unity and shared responsibility for public health.

The primary goal of the wellness day was to promote health and wellness among the people of Masvingo.

However, beyond encouraging residents to prioritise their physical well-being, the event also sought to foster a strong sense of community and collaboration among local organisations. It provided a dynamic platform for networking, exchanging ideas and sharing best practices on health promotion and workplace wellness initiatives.

The event placed significant emphasis on raising awareness about lifestyle diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and heart conditions, which continue to affect many communities. Mental health was also a key focus area, with stakeholders highlighting the importance of early intervention, open dialogue and access to psychosocial support services.

Residents were encouraged to adopt healthy habits and embrace active living through exercise sessions, health screenings and educational discussions.

The atmosphere was energetic and inclusive, reflecting the City’s commitment to building a healthier and more resilient community.

A wide range of organisations participated in the Wellness Day, showcasing a strong spirit of partnership. These included Masvingo Teachers College, Masvingo Polytechnic College, Public Service representatives, Friendship Bench, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), TelOne, Municipal Council of Masvingo (MCC), Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA), Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service, and members of the wider community.

Through collaborative engagement and shared commitment, the wellness day underscored the importance of collective action in addressing both physical and mental health challenges.

City of Masvingo reasseted dedication to supporting initiatives that enhance the quality of life for residents and strengthen partnerships across sectors.

The event stands as a testament to what can be achieved when institutions and communities work together toward a common goal, a healthier, more informed and more connected Masvingo.

The City of Masvingo has taken a significant step towards strengthening transparency and accountability after councillors and senior officials signed Integrity Pledges in the presence of ZAAC compliance officials and the Zimbabwe Republic Police commissioning officer in line with Chapter 12 of Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which focuses on governance, peace and security.

The signing ceremony, held at the Civic Centre, reaffirmed the local authority’s commitment to upholding ethical standards, promoting good governance and enhancing public trust in council operations.

The Integrity Pledges were designed to enhance councillors’ and officials’ understanding of the council’s risk matrix and action plan, clearly outlining their responsibilities in preventing corruption and maladministration. Through this initiative, council leadership is expected to proactively identify institutional risks, implement mitigation measures and ensure adherence to established regulations and policies.

Speaking during the event, the City of Masvingo Town Clerk, Eng. Edward Mukaratirwa emphasized that the move is aligned with the broader national vision of building accountable public institutions that safeguard peace, security and sustainable development.

The pledge signing also seeks to strengthen institutional commitment to integrity and ethical conduct within council operations. By formally committing themselves, councillors and management have undertaken to report corrupt activities, avoid conflicts of interest and execute their duties with professionalism and impartiality.

This development comes at a time when public institutions across Zimbabwe are being called upon to reinforce governance systems that enhance service delivery and protect public resources.

By formalising integrity standards through the signing of the pledges, the City of Masvingo has set a clear tone for responsible leadership. The pledges commit office bearers to uphold regulations and champion ethical leadership as they carry out their day-to-day duties. This initiative is expected to foster a culture of accountability, improve internal controls and ultimately strengthen residents’ confidence in council operations.

As the city continues to implement its development agenda, the Integrity Pledges mark a decisive step toward building a transparent, ethical and service-oriented local authority anchored on the principles of NDS2 Chapter 12.

The longstanding twinning relationship between the City of Masvingo and Germany’s Kernen im Remstal was further strengthened this week as a delegation from the Kernen–Masvingo Association paid a courtesy visit to Masvingo.

The delegation was led by the Association’s Chairperson, Christian Fleischer, accompanied by Astrid Fleischer, Kerstin Hemker, and Reinhard Hemker.

The visit focused on touring key facilities and institutions that have benefited from the partnership’s support over the years.

One of the highlights of the visit was a tour of Runyararo Clinic, whose construction was made possible through the generous support of the Kernen–Masvingo partnership. The clinic has significantly improved access to primary health care services for residents in the Runyararo suburb and surrounding communities.

The delegation also visited Mucheke Clinic, where they inspected the autoclave machine donated through the association. The equipment has enhanced infection control and sterilization of medical instruments, contributing to improved service delivery standards at the health facility.

In addition, the team reviewed the ambulances donated under the twinning arrangement. The ambulances have strengthened the City’s emergency response capacity, ensuring quicker and more reliable patient transfers to health institutions.

Beyond health infrastructure, the delegation visited several welfare institutions that have received assistance from the association.

At Alpha Cottages, the visitors engaged with children and staff, appreciating the impact of donations that have improved living conditions and supported child welfare programs.

The team also toured Mucheke Old People’s Home and Alfred Walter Home, where donations have gone towards improving the quality of life for elderly residents. The delegation interacted with beneficiaries and administrators, witnessing first-hand how the partnership continues to bring dignity and comfort to vulnerable members of the community.

Speaking during the visit, Christian Fleischer expressed satisfaction with the progress made and reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to sustaining and deepening cooperation with Masvingo. He emphasized that the partnership is built not only on development projects but also on friendship, solidarity, and shared humanity.

Masvingo – Kernen Association chairperson Mr Pascal Mudzikisi, commended the Kernen–Masvingo Association for its unwavering support, noting that the collaboration has played a pivotal role in enhancing health services and social welfare programmes within the city.

The courtesy visit reaffirmed the strength of the twinning arrangement, which continues to transform lives through practical support and people-to-people exchanges.

As the partnership evolves, both Kernen and Masvingo remain committed to fostering sustainable development and strengthening international cooperation for the benefit of their communities.

Today the City of Masvingo Gender Desk coordinated an awareness campaign on missing children cases aimed at educating the community on child safety measures and promoting heightened community vigilance.

The campaign brought together key stakeholders including MOPSE, BHASO, MY AGE AFRICA, VFU, MWACSMED, MARCFT, ZACH, Ministry of Youth, EFZ, BOMEFF, SGDZT, CBAP, NCDPZ, MOHCC, ZGC, ARC, FST, SFC, WCOZ, CWGH, ZNFPC, NAC URBAN, ZNNP+ to raise awareness on the increasing concerns surrounding missing children.

Through information dissemination and community engagement activities, residents were equipped with practical knowledge on preventing child disappearances and responding effectively in the event a child goes missing.

Key safety measures shared during the campaign included:

· Encouraging parents and guardians to closely monitor children’s movements.

· Teaching children not to engage with strangers or accept gifts from unknown individuals.

· Ensuring children know important contact details and safe places to seek help.

· Promoting immediate reporting of missing children to authorities.

· Suggesting neighbourhood watch initiatives to enhance community surveillance.

The Gender Desk emphasized that protecting children is a collective responsibility that requires collaboration between families, community members, and relevant authorities. Residents were urged to remain alert, report suspicious activities, and support efforts aimed at safeguarding children within their communities.

The awareness campaign reaffirmed the City’s commitment to creating a safe and secure environment for all children in Masvingo.

As part of our ongoing #FoodSafetyCampaign in Masvingo City, the Environmental Health Team is conducting a hygiene assessment blitz around city food.

The exercise is focusing on assessing hygiene standards, identifying potential contamination risks, and ensuring compliance with basic food safety practices.

As part of the inspection process, swabbing of work surfaces and food handlers was done around City food outlets the exercises is meant to strengthen food hygiene and improve manufacturing practices as a way to uphold public health prevention strategies in order to prevent food borne diseases.

City of Masvingo remains dedicated to promoting safe food handling practices through sustaining quality of life by safeguarding quality of food and water