The City of Masvingo joined the rest of the nation in creating clean and healthy spaces on Friday the 6th of October 2023 at Chesvingo Business Centre by cleaning storm drains, sweeping and picking up stray bits of litter.

The cleaning efforts are part of the national clean-up campaign, which has seen the nation declaring zero tolerance to litter and setting aside the first Friday of every month as a national clean-up day.

The exercise brought together various stakeholders and was graced by the Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Ezra Chadzamira, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Honourable T. Moyo, Her Worship the Mayor of the City of Masvingo Cllr Shantiel Yeukai Chiwara, City of Masvingo Town Clerk, Eng. Edward Mukaratirwa, among others.

National Clean-Up Day is held monthly and promotes country-scale organized and individual clean-up events and volunteering to keep the outdoors clean and prevent the spread of diseases.

Clean up campaigns raise awareness about the scale of the litter problem and get the community thinking about changing their behaviour. Clean up actions are also an effective way to bring communities together and by enhancing social bonds, make people more appreciative of their common environment.

The exercise attracted more than 200 volunteers from the uniformed forces, business community, government departments, the community and churches.

The event was coordinated by the Department of Health Services in collaboration with Environmental Management Agency.

The National Clean Up Day introduced the Tailored CleanUp program for businesses, institutions and cities. The program is available to any participating business, educational institution, and government entity or non-profit. Companies like Byword Motors and Jadecon Construction also joined the City Council in the clean-up exercise.

The event ended with the Honourable Chadzamira, Honourable Moyo, Mayor Chiwara, Eng. Mukaratirwa and Mrs Chingwara planting trees.

The City of Masvingo is making strides in local governance and scooped a prestigious award for outstanding performance in Government Parastatals (Services and Industrial) at the just ended Masvingo Agricultural show which was running under the theme, ‘Transformation is the key engine for economic growth’.

The award speaks to Council’s hard work, dedication in local governance and towards the residents of its jurisdiction. Winning an award is a delightful experience and the highest honour, as it emanates from recognition of teamwork and dedication.

Part of the City’s exhibition included drone displays, migration to e-governance, e-payments, e-support centre for queries and faults, investment promotion among other key issues.

Masvingo City Council was among many local authorities throughout the country to have arranged the inauguration for the recently elected Councillors to take an oath of office to serve people today, Friday 8^th of September 2023 at the Civic centre offices.

The 13 councillors include; Ward 1 Cllr. Chikwangwani Sabina, Ward 2 Cllr. Chiwara Shantiel Yeukai, Ward 3 Cllr. Madhuna Maxwell, Ward 4 Cllr. Tabe Aleck, Ward 5 Cllr. Cllr. Mberikunashe Daniel, Ward 6 Cllr. Sitemere Wilstaff, Ward 7 Cllr. Masimba Tafara, Ward 8 Cllr. Musekiwa Richard, Ward 9 Cllr. Muchokwa Benard, Ward 10 Cllr. Sengerai Manyanga and 3 representing the womens’ quota; Cllr. Time Alaicia, Cllr. Zishiri Esther and Cllr. Marombedze Sharon Tsitsi.

The swearing in ceremony was observed by the District development Officer, Acting Provincial Director for provincial Affairs and Devolution, hordes of community members, sector departments, political parties to be represented in the Council, religious fraternity, and all structures of the locality and members of the media.

As legislated the session was chaired by the Town Clerk, Eng Edward Mukaratirwa who facilitated the process.

In local governance, providing quality and timely services is not the only thing that matters. Professionalism and good appearance is fundamental. The first impression is either the best or worst and lasting impression the client can get. It is therefore under this premise that City of Masvingo’s middle management underwent a three day training in business etiquette and professional grooming conducted by LACH consultants from the 8th of August to the 10th of August 2023 at Flamboyant Hotel.

The aim of the workshop was to empower Council’s middle management with effective communication skills, endow staff with skills for exquisite customer service, build appropriate professional and specialized demenours and behaviors demanded by business etiquette as per the Council’s code of conduct. 

Areas covered include, business etiquette, communication skills, professionalism,  image management. Under the team building exercises, participants were exposed to the importance of effective communication skills, importance of working as one team with a vision, staying in lanes not overstepping, effective listening skills and unity.

Under the professional grooming and deportment, understanding the professional dress code was also underscrored. 

The balance of the workshop consisted of interactive groups and plenary discussions. Workshop participants identified several key contextual factors that unpacked contemporary issues in relation to Corporate governance. 

The workshop was capped by the Town Clerk’s remarks. Eng Edward Mukaratirwa,  City of Masvingo’s Town Clerk underscrored the need for coordination when executing duties, identifying sources of conflicts and build working teams in the process for effective service delivery and employees’ deliverables. 

‘I urge each and every participant to use the basics from this workshop to become relevant. I also hope that from this workshop we will be able to come with better solutions that can work for Council. Much hope is that everyone here has been equiped well enough to execute their mandates effectively’,  he said.

Everyone received a certificate of participation.

ReplyForward

City of Masvingo has appointed Mr. Simbarashe. W Mandishona to the Director of Housing and Social Services post on substantive basis.

Mr Mandishona brings a wealth of experience to the city having worked as acting Director of Housing and Social Services (City of Masvingo) from 1 June 2022 to 31^st of July 2023, Deputy Director of Housing and Social Services (City of Masvingo) from April 2011 to 30 May 2022, Deputy Director of Housing and Community Services (Marondera Municipality) from January 2004 to March 2011, Acting Chief Executive Officer Runde Rural District Council from January 2001 to December 2003,  Projects and Planning Officer  (Runde Rural District Council) from July 1998 to December 2000, Planning Officer, Department of Rural Development Gweru – Midlands Province from July 1995 to June 1998.

Having worked in various local authorities spearheading development Mr Mandishona has vast experience in town planning and housing and estate management.

In terms of qualifications, Mr Mandishona holds Bachelor of Science (Honours) Rural and Urban Planning with University of Zimbabwe, Master of Science Degree in Strategic Management with Chinhoyi University of Technology and Certificates in Personnel Training and Labour, and Labour Relations.

Once again, His Worship, the Mayor, Cllr C. Maboke, Cllrs, Town Clerk and Management would like to congratulate Mr. Mandishona on his new appointment as the substantive Director of Housing and Social Services and wish him success in office.