The City of Masvingo today successfully hosted the Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fundraising Schools Swimming Gala, bringing together local schools for a vibrant day of sports, cheer, and charity at Junior High School.

The event, held under the banner of supporting the less privileged members of Masvingo community during the festive season, saw enthusiastic participation from several primary and secondary schools across the city.

Schools that participated include:

1. Victoria High School

2. Junior High School

3. Junior Primary School

4. Vurombo Primary School

5. Shakashe Primary School

6. Dikwindi Primary School

7. Rujeko Primary School

8. Runyararo Primary School

10. Francis Aphiri Primary School

His Worship the Mayor, Cllr Aleck Tabe and the Provincial Education Director Mrs Mhike who graced the occasion as guest of honour both applauded the learners’ competitive spirit and the gala’s noble goal, raising funds to support vulnerable groups through the Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund.

In his remarks, the Mayor commended schools for their participation, sponsors for making the event possible and highlighted the importance of unity and social responsibility, while the Provincial Education Director underscored the role of sport in holistic education and community building.

Sponsors of the event include:

1. Chicken inn

2. Junior High School

3. Kingdom blue funeral services

4. Honey Comb

5. First Pack

The swimming gala not only showcased young sporting talent but also strengthened collaboration between Council, the education sector, and the wider business community.

His worship, the Mayor Cllr Aleck Tabe, has brought smiles and warmth to the less privileged members of the community through the annual Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund.

Beneficiaries included, special needs schools- Henry Murray school for the deaf, ZIMCARE, Kapota schools, Residential care facilities – Alpha cottages, Mucheke old people’s home, Hospitals- Morgenster, Masvingo Provincial hospital, Mazorodze clinic, Ngomahuru, government social systems -foster parents, NGOs-National Council for Disabled Persons, Zimbabwe Parents of Handicapped Children and Disability Amalgamation Community Trust

This year, USD 21 000 was raised towards the Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund through a number of activities, which include marathon, soccer match, golf tournament, and dinner.

In a heartwarming gesture of compassion and solidarity, the Mayor led the distribution of food hampers and other essential items to vulnerable groups, including orphans, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.

Speaking at the handover event, the Mayor emphasized the importance of community support and unity, especially during the festive season.

“This is a time of sharing and remembering those among us who need a helping hand. As a City, we are committed to inclusive development, and no one must be left behind,” he said.

The event was made possible through generous contributions from corporate partners, residents, and well-wishers. The Mayor expressed gratitude to all sponsors for their continued support, which made the Christmas Cheer initiative a success.

The initiative reflects Council’s vision of building a caring, people-centered city that upholds dignity, compassion, and community welfare.

Led by His Worship the Mayor Cllr Aleck Tabe and Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa together with technical experts, the tour provided journalists with a firsthand look at the following major developments:

· Bushmead Waterworks

The tour highlighted processes of water purification and ongoing efforts to stabilize and augment the city’s water supply. A major focus of the City’s development cycle is the US$5.5 million solar plant project at Bushmead, designed to mitigate power-related water shortages and reduce operational costs.

· Sewage Works

Media representatives were updated on critical sanitation infrastructure, and the key processes to improve waste management across the city.

· New Truck Stop

Located along the Beitbridge highway, this project has reached advanced stages, with offices and ablution blocks approximately 70% complete. Once fully operational, it will feature 80 parking spaces, a retail outlet, and laundry facilities to help decongest the CBD.

· Runyararo Swimming Pool

This recreational facility, currently estimated at over 95% completion, is part of the council’s initiative to provide state-of-the-art leisure amenities for residents in the Mucheke area.

· Runyararo Clinic Maternity Wing

A major healthcare milestone, the new wing has reached 95% physical completion with painting and final structural works in progress. The facility is designed to significantly enhance maternal and child health services for the local community.

His Worship the Mayor Cllr Aleck Tabe emphasized that these projects are central to Masvingo’s objective of becoming a World Class Metropolitan City by 2030. The media tour underscores the council’s commitment to transparency as it implements its US$35 million 2025 budget.

City of Masvingo is currently exhibiting at the commissioning ceremony of Geo Pomona Waste Management service vehicles by His Excellence, Dr. E.D Mnangagwa showcasing its commitment to strengthening solid waste management and promoting sustainable urban environmental practices.

The exhibition is running under the theme: ‘Scaling up for impact- Vision 2030 – Like Service Delivery’.

The exhibition highlighted key Council initiatives under waste management, including:

– Community-driven waste separation programs

– Health clubs participation in waste management.

– Progress on the City’s engineered landfill

– Ongoing public health and sanitation projects

– Clean waste to energy solutions

– Partnerships for cleaner cities and climate-smart infrastructure – a case of MCC – ZOU MoU – Biodigester Project

The City applauded Geo Pomona’s investment in modern waste management, enhancing smart, clean, and green cities in line with Vision 2030.

City of Masvingo held a dignified ceremony to confer the status of Alderman on two serving and two former Councillors in recognition of their distinguished and dedicated service to Council and the residents of Masvingo.

Among the Councillors who were elevated to the dignity of Alderman is the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Daniel Mberikunashe, who was first elected into Council in 2013 and served Council in it’s various Committees:

1) Chairman of the Public Works and Planning Committee

2) Chairman of the Audit Committee

3)Currently a member of the Finance and General Purposes and Health Housing and Environmental Services Committe

4) Publicity Association Board

Alderman Richard Musekiwa joined Council in 2013 and is currently the Chairperson of the Public Works and Planning Committee, a member of the Finace and General Purposes Committee and a member of the Masvingo Publicity Association Board. In his first term of office in 2013 he served in various Committees including Health Housing and Environmental Services Committee and as a Chairperson of the Public Works and Planning Committee.

Alderman Against Chiteme was elected into Council in 2013 and served as Chairperson of the Audit Committee, member of the Health, Housing and Environmental Services Committee. Alderman A Chiteme was also a member of the Masvingo Agricultural Show Society.

Alderman Babylon Beta was elected into office of Councillor in 2013 and served in various capabilities including Chairman of the Finance and General Purposes Committee, Chairperson of the Works Council, Chairperson of the Masvingo Municipal Medical Aid Board, Vice Chairperson of the Human Resources and Gender Committee and a member of the Public Works and Planning Committee.

The conferment ceremony, held in the Civic Centre Town Hall today the 12th of December 2025, celebrated the contributions made by these former and serving Councillors during their terms of office.

The title of Alderman is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a long serving and former Councilors and signifies exemplary leadership, commitment to service, and an enduring legacy in local governance.

Speaking at the ceremony, His Worship the Mayor Cllr Aleck Tabe commended the Aldermen for their immense contribution to the development and transformation of the City of Masvingo, saying, “Your service has laid a solid foundation on which we continue to build.

This recognition is a token of our gratitude.”

Family members, dignitaries, and community leaders witnessed the ceremonial awarding of Alderman badges.

The City of Masvingo remains committed to upholding the values of leadership excellence and honoring those who have contributed meaningfully to the city’s growth.

The City of Masvingo joined the global campaign, marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with an awareness march from Croco Motors to Civic Center and information displays.

Stakeholders, including, CBAP, SOVI Speak O voice International, MY Age Africa, CWGH, Ministry of Women Affairs, CCZ, ZRP, DSD, BHASO, Charles Austin Theatre, 263 Dance Group, WCOZ, ZHRC, ARC, Mwana Wevhu, CGCDZ, MPH, MY voice in Zimbabwe, MOHCC, Zimbabwe Gender Commission, ZGC, NAC, Masvingo Flora, Junior Council, and civil society organizations, took part in the march aimed at raising awareness, promoting dialogue, and encouraging reporting of GBV cases.

The campaign ran under the theme “UNITE! Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls”, aligning with national and local efforts to create safe, inclusive, and empowered communities.

City of Masvingo reaffirmed its commitment to supporting GBV survivors, advancing gender equality, and integrating gender-responsive approaches in local governance and service delivery.

City of Masvingo today integrated gender-based violence (GBV) awareness initiative with the national clean-up day, during the annual 16 Days of Activism period (November 25 to December 10) running under the theme, “UNITE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls” focusing heavily on digital awareness and general advocacy.

The awareness event was held at Croco Motors, combining the practical efforts of the national clean-up with educational sessions on the health dangers of improper waste disposal and GBV awareness messages.

The core of the campaign involved general advocacy and raising awareness through various platforms, including social media and community engagement, promoting messages like “zero tolerance to GBV” and encouraging communities to support survivors.

This initiative involved collaborations with various organizations, such as Adult rape clinic, EMA, health clubs, N. Richards, Bakers Inn and ZESA, to amplify the message and provide support resources. The campaign emphasized the importance of knowing and accessing available resources for survivors, such as the Adult rape clinic.

The combination of the campaign is a strategic approach to leverage existing national mobilization efforts (like the monthly clean-up day) to reach a broader audience with crucial human rights and health messages simultaneously.

City of Masvingo is participating at the “Digitalise Zimbabwe Expo,” showcasing digital advancements and commitment to smart city innovations and e-governance.

Key initiatives and participations include:

1. Smart City Vision: The city promotes its master plan with a focus on smart city innovations and investor-friendly digital infrastructure.

2. E-Health Records: The City Council, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Childcare, is implementing the Impilo Electronic Health Record (EHR) system and issuing secure biometric Health IDs to facilitate paperless service delivery and telemedicine.

3. E-governance & E-payments, displaying a migration to e-governance systems, e-payment platforms, and e-support centers for public queries.

4. Local Innovation Support: The City hosted its own SMEs Indaba and Expo in July 2025, where exhibitors, including those in digital solutions, showcased local innovations to promote business growth and networking.

The push for digitisation is part of a broader national “Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Masterplan” aimed at transforming various sectors of the economy through technology.