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.

City of Masvingo, with support from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), is conducting a Gender Management Training Workshop for councillors, management and staff as part of ongoing efforts to promote gender equality and inclusive governance.

The training workshop brings together key decision makers; Councillors, Executive management, and employees within Council departments to strengthen the integration of gender considerations into council policies, programmes and service delivery.

Primary objective of the workshop is to support City of Masvingo in gender mainstreaming and to enhance knowledge and capacity for the prevention of gender-based violence. Through this initiative, participants are being equipped with the skills and understanding of what is necessary to promote safer and more inclusive communities.

Another key focus of the training is to establish an appreciation of key gender concepts and build fundamental technical competence in gender issues among council management, staff and councillors.

The workshop provides participants with practical tools to ensure that gender perspectives are incorporated into planning, budgeting and implementation of council programmes.

Speaking during the workshop, facilitators highlighted the importance of local authorities playing a leading role in advancing gender equality and addressing gender-based violence within communities. They noted that strengthening institutional knowledge on gender issues is critical for responsive governance and sustainable development.

The training also creates a platform for participants to share experiences, discuss challenges and identify practical strategies for promoting gender-responsive service delivery in the City of Masvingo.

The initiative reflects Council’s commitment to fostering inclusive development and ensuring that all Council programmes benefit all residents equally.

The Mayor of City of Masvingo, Cllr. Aleck Tabe, has been honored with the 1st Runner-Up award in the President’s Performance Excellence in Service Delivery Awards under the Mayor/Council Chairpersons for Local Authorities category.

The prestigious awards are part of the Government’s performance management system spearheaded by His Excellence, President Emmerson D. Mnangagwa, which recognizes outstanding public sector leaders who demonstrate commitment to efficient governance, accountability, and improved service delivery. The initiative encourages leaders across government institutions and local authorities to meet national development targets and improve services for citizens.

Mayor Tabe’s recognition reflects the outstanding progress and efforts being made by the City of Masvingo in strengthening local governance, enhancing infrastructure development, and improving the delivery of essential services to residents.

Under his leadership, Council has been advancing initiatives aimed at modernizing council services, promoting community participation, and supporting sustainable urban development. Receiving the national accolade places the City of Masvingo among the country’s leading local authorities, demonstrating excellence in public administration leadership.The award also highlights the collective efforts of councilors, management, and staff who continue to work towards providing quality services to the people of Masvingo.

The President’s Performance Excellence Awards form part of a broader national framework designed to promote a culture of results, accountability, and excellence within Zimbabwe’s public sector institutions.

Through such recognition, the City of Masvingo continues to solidify its reputation as a forward-looking local authority committed to service excellence and inclusive urban development.

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.