City of Masvingo facilitated a two day training for Junior Councillors aiming at inclusive communication to enable effective communication with deaf or hard-of-hearing constituents, promoting inclusivity and equal access to services.

The two day training will enable improved accessibility to council services, meetings, and events for deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals, ensuring equal participation and engagement.

Expectations are that there is going to be enhanced customer service  through responding to the needs and concerns of deaf or hard-of-hearing constituents.

There is going to be a breaking down on communication barriers to promote social inclusion, fostering a more inclusive and diverse community,  enabling of the hard – to hear individuals to participate fully in civic life and access council services without barriers and  promote community engagement and participation in local decision-making processes.

The major outcome of the training will increase participation of deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals in council meetings, events, and decision-making processes, better representation of deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals’ needs and concerns in council decision-making and positive community impact fostering a culture of inclusion, diversity, and social responsibility.

The City of Masvingo last week on Friday scooped (5) five Zimbabwe CEO’s Network awards for excellence in good corporate governance and 4 individual awards.

Individuals who won accolades include the Town Clerk, Eng Edward Mukaratirwa for overall outstanding local authority leader super platinum winner, Director Engineering Services,  Eng. Kudzaishe Mbetu for outstanding Engineer Gold winner, Chief Environmental Health Services,  Ms Suzanne Hazel Madamombe for outstanding female leader Gold winner and the Public Relations Officer, Ms Ashleigh Jinjika for outstanding leader in communication and public relations.

This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion that Council has poured into service delivery.

Such awards serves as a reminder that Council’s efforts are making a meaningful impact in Masvingo and always striving for excellence.

A local businessman, Mr Garande of Caravan Park today made a generous donation of a soccer kit to Council ahead of the Inter municipal Sports Festival.

Receiving the donation, Deputy Mayor, Cllr. Daniel Mberikunashe said, ‘ it is wonderful to see business people stepping up to make a difference in their communities. Council is thrilled to receive this generous donation, and it will undoubtedly make a positive impact on the team. 

Present during the handover ceremony was the Chamber Secretary,  Mr Vitalis Shonhai, Director Housing and Social Services, Mr. Simbarashe Mandishona, the Finance Director, Mr Danister Jori and sports organising officer and soccer team.

City of Masvingo’s Town Clerk,  Eng Edward Mukaratirwa has been recognized as Manager of the Year by Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce. This esteemed award honors exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and outstanding achievements in management.

The Manager of the Year Award is presented annually to recognize outstanding managers who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence.

A panel of industry experts selected Eng. Edward Mukaratirwa from a pool of talented nominees.

Eng Edward Mukaratirwa’s Achievements

Under Eng. EdwardMukaratirw’s ‘s leadership, City of Masvingo has:

– Achieved remarkable development 

– Successfully constructed an engineered landfill 

– Successfuly constructed Rujeko Secondary School 

– Fostered a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion

– Developed strategic partnerships and collaborations

– Provision of potable water to city 8 hours daily.

This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of the Town Clerk. 

City of Masvingo is  driven by innovation and customer satisfaction.

City of Masvingo has been recognized for its exceptional customer service, receiving the coveted Best Customer Service Award at the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce Award Night.

This esteemed award acknowledges City of Masvingo’s unwavering commitment to delivering outstanding customer experiences, exceeding expectations, and fostering long-lasting relationships.

City of Masvingo is dedicated to providing world-class service, ensuring every interaction leaves a lasting, positive impression.

 This award validates Council team’s tireless efforts to listen, innovate, and delight stakeholders. 

The Award Ceremony brought together industry leaders, recognizing excellence in customer service. City of Masvingo was selected from a pool of notable nominees, demonstrating exceptional customer-focused strategies.

The City of Masvingo is currently holding a one day Integrity Sensitization Workshop as a demonstration of commitment to upholding the highest standards of intergrity and ethics.

The objectives of the workshop include  identifying potential intergrity risks and challenges and develop strategies for promoting intergrity.

The integrity Committee is essential to Council for promoting transparency and accountability, preventing corruption and fraud, ensuring ethical decision-making, building public trust and confidence and enhancing governance and oversight.

Key roles of the integrity committee also include; developing and enforcing codes of conduct, investigate allegations of misconduct, providing training and awareness programs to employees, monitor compliance with policies and laws, as well as advise on ethics and integrity matters

Council integrity committee can also investigate complaints, conduct audits and reviews, provide guidance and advice to Council.

Integrity Committees are vital for maintaining public trust and ensuring local authorities operate with integrity, transparency, and accountability.

City of Masvingo is currently holding budget consultation meetings in all wards with the primary objective of giving stakeholders feedback on the performance of the 2024 budget and getting input  on 2025 budget priorities.

Council also aims at providing stakeholders with information on  Council’s finances, budget allocations, and decision-making processes.

The budget consultation process is expected to give council a clear view of  community needs and stakeholder priorities, concerns, and expectations.

At the end of the process, council will be able to produce a budget that is responsive to the needs and priorities of the stakeholders and the development goals of the city.

The budget consultation meetings are a clear demonstration of Council’s commitment to stakeholder-centered governance, transparency, and accountability.

Achievements made in 2024 so far:

1. Procurement of a refuse compactor 

2. Sewer reticulation upgrades

3. Construction of North West Maternity wing 

4. Construction of 2 classroom blocks at Rujeko Secondary School

The City of Masvingo is currently holding a three-day strategic planning workshop with the mandate of   aligning with national objectives, plan for the future, analyse performance for the period under review, track current and future trends to achieve set objectives, clarify Council’s vision and purpose, identify strategic issues and come up with strategies to meet them as well.

Council has achieved several successes this year which include: legal compliance with holding statutory meetings, ensuring good corporate governance best practises-  clean audit, review of by-laws and crafting of policies, 94% of target children were immunised, collection efficiency on refuse is on track with no backlogs on collection with refuse being collected once in residential and industry and one daily in CBD, maternal mortality – no woman died during admission for child delivery in our clinics, facilitated the acquisition of title deeds for 32 houses, completed upgrading of Mucheke Tanaiwa Hostels through upgrading of WASH facilities, construction of 3 blocks for Rujeko Secondary School, allocated 127 traders workspace, commissioned and allocated Chesvingo Safe Market, awarded 7 learners scholarships, completed installation of Mucheke library wifi, successfully established Downtown Park, successfully upgraded Kernen Park, (Erp)Digital systems implemented – instipark and mobicol, performance appraisals, client satisfaction survey, training programs, job evaluation , local economic development plan, exhibitions, 2023 audited financial statements awaiting finalisation, revenue collection efficiency at 71%, and billing efficiency at 82%, masterplan review, designs for new water treatment plant, upgrading of mucheke trunk sewer, rehabilitation of roads, street and public lighting.

The workshop is also going to cover various topics, such as reviewing current plans, environmental scanning, SWOT analysis, and crafting new strategies.

The outcome is a comprehensive plan to drive Council forward.