The City of Masvingo celebrated the dedication, loyalty and outstanding service of its employees during a long service awards and retirement ceremony held to recognise staff members who have devoted many years of service to the local authority, while also bidding farewell to retiring colleagues.

The ceremony brought together City of Masvingo management, staff members, retirees and their families, as well as officials from the National Social Security Authority (NSSA), led by Regional Manager Mr. L. Maoche.

Speaking as the Guest of Honour, His Worship, the Mayor Cllr Aleck Tabe commended employees for their unwavering commitment, professionalism and resilience, describing them as the City’s greatest asset.

“The greatest strength of any institution is its people. Behind every service delivered, every project completed and every milestone achieved are committed employees who faithfully carry out their responsibilities with integrity and dedication,” he said.

The Mayor applauded the long service award recipients for their loyalty and steadfast commitment, noting that their years of service reflected professionalism, discipline and an enduring commitment to public service. He acknowledged that many of the award recipients had served the City through changing economic conditions, organisational reforms, technological advancements and evolving community expectations while remaining dedicated to delivering quality services to residents.

He said their commitment had played a vital role in ensuring that the City of Masvingo continued to fulfil its mandate despite numerous challenges.

The ceremony also paid tribute to employees who have retired after years of distinguished service. The Mayor described retirement as not merely the end of a career but the celebration of a lifetime of contribution, recognising the invaluable knowledge, experience and wisdom the retirees had shared throughout their careers.

He said the retirees had strengthened departments, mentored younger employees, shaped institutional policies and contributed significantly to the growth and development of the City.

Addressing serving employees, he encouraged them to draw inspiration from the exemplary careers of the award recipients and retirees, emphasising that recognition is earned through years of dedication, discipline, teamwork, humility and consistent hard work.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of long service awards and recognition of retirees as an appreciation that employees remain the driving force behind effective service delivery and sustainable development.

The City of Masvingo joined the nation in commemorating the National Clean-Up Campaign for July under the theme, “Plastic Free Month: Be Part of the Plastic Pollution Solution,” reiterating commitment to creating a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment.

The campaign highlighted the urgent need to tackle plastic pollution, which remains one of the greatest environmental challenges affecting communities. The City of Masvingo used the occasion to encourage residents, businesses and institutions to play an active role in reducing plastic waste and protecting the environment for future generations.

In line with the national theme, the City has continued to work closely with stakeholders and development partners to remove plastics from the environment, improve waste management and enhance the city’s aesthetic appeal. These collaborative efforts have strengthened the City’s drive towards achieving a cleaner and more attractive urban environment.

One of the key initiatives showcased during the clean-up campaign is the innovative Big Bottle Bin, which encourages waste segregation at source. The specially designed receptacle allows residents to dispose of plastic bottles, plastic bags and other plastic packaging separately, while general waste is placed in the lower compartment. The initiative is expected to promote proper waste disposal and increase plastic recycling across the city.

The City’s Health Services Department has also intensified community awareness campaigns on waste segregation, while the Big Bottle Bin serves as a practical reminder of the importance of responsible waste disposal.

Demonstrating long-term commitment to environmental sustainability, the City of Masvingo indorsed its pledge to become a plastic-free city by 2030. To support this vision, Council is introducing an Environmental Monitors training program targeting schools across the city. The program will establish environmental clubs comprising between 20 and 30 learners per school. Upon completing the training, the learners will be certified as Environmental Stewards, empowering them to champion environmental conservation in their schools and communities.

The City also announced that it has secured a grant through GZI to strengthen its environmental management initiatives. The funding will support the expansion of waste reclamation and recycling programs, particularly the plastic purchasing initiative.

Currently, the City is partnering with Markingtorch, a recycling company that purchases segregated plastics at prices ranging from US$200 to US$350 per tonne. The initiative provides an economic incentive for plastic collection while significantly reducing plastic pollution within the city.

The City of Masvingo expresses gratitude to all partners and stakeholders for continued support in promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable waste management.

Council indorsed commitment to intensifying efforts aimed at eliminating plastic pollution and ensuring that Masvingo becomes a clean, green and plastic-free provincial city.

The National Clean-Up Campaign served as a reminder that environmental protection is a shared responsibility, with every resident encouraged to be part of the solution by embracing proper waste management practices and reducing plastic pollution.

Guest of Honour, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Masvingo Province, Hon Ezra Chadzamira was represented by the Director of Infrastructure, Planning and Environmental Management in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Mr. Douglas Chimhande.

Present was the Mayor for Masvingo, Cllr Aleck Tabe, Councilors, Council Management, Government Provincial Heads and Council stakeholders.

The Health Department, in partnership with Destiny-gate Institute, recently conducted a clean-up campaign along Calvin Majange Street and Gomba Business Centre in Runyararo West.

We encourage all residents, businesses, schools, and community groups to take part in keeping our city clean.

Every small action counts, dispose of waste responsibly, avoid littering, and join community clean-up activities. Our environment is everyone’s responsibility.

In addition, Environmental Health Technicians and Masvingo Christian College- Friends for the Climate Change Conservation club are maintaining high standards of cleanliness across the expo grounds through coordinated waste management, sanitation monitoring and ongoing environmental awareness activities as well as cleanliness of the ablution facilities.

These initiatives aim to safeguard the well-being of attendees.

The expo is running under the theme “Embracing Disability Inclusion in All Sectors: A Masterstroke for National Prosperity and Economic Development.

His Worship the Mayor, Cllr Aleck Tabe, today held a high-level engagement with the Ambassador of Pakistan in a meeting aimed at strengthening cooperation and exploring strategic partnerships that support local economic growth and urban development.

The meeting provided an opportunity for both parties to discuss areas of mutual interest and identify pathways for collaboration between Masvingo City and Pakistan at the local government level.

Key areas of engagement included investment promotion, trade and industrial development, tourism growth, cultural exchange, and skills transfer. Discussions also explored the possibility of establishing twinning arrangements between Masvingo City and cities in Pakistan as a means of promoting knowledge sharing, innovation, and stronger people-to-people relations.

Speaking after the engagement, His Worship the Mayor, Cllr Aleck Tabe, said the City remains committed to building international partnerships that create opportunities for economic transformation and sustainable development.

“Masvingo is positioning itself as a progressive and investment-ready city. Through strategic international partnerships, we seek to unlock new opportunities that contribute to economic growth, strengthen local industries, create employment, and improve service delivery for our residents,” said Mayor Tabe.

The Mayor highlighted Masvingo’s unique position as home to the world-renowned Great Zimbabwe National Monument, noting that international cooperation presents an opportunity to further enhance the city’s tourism potential while attracting investment into key sectors of the local economy.

He added that the City is encouraged by the positive spirit of engagement demonstrated during the meeting and remains focused on translating discussions into practical initiatives and projects that deliver measurable benefits to residents.

Mayor Tabe expressed appreciation to the Ambassador and the Embassy of Pakistan for their warm reception and commitment to strengthening ties with Masvingo City.

City of Masvingo has intensified efforts to promote environmental sustainability through a stakeholder engagement meeting focused on strengthening collaboration in sustainable waste management practices.

The meeting brought together representatives from the business community, schools, hospitals, recycling companies, and tertiary institutions to discuss practical solutions aimed at improving waste management across the city.

Central to the discussions was the importance of waste segregation at source through the use of colour-coded bins and waste separation cages. Stakeholders explored ways of separating organic waste from recyclable materials such as plastics, paper, glass, and metals before collection and disposal.

Participants acknowledged that effective waste separation plays a critical role in improving recycling efficiency, reducing contamination of recyclable materials, and significantly lowering the amount of waste that ends up at landfill sites.

The engagement also highlighted the growing importance of waste recycling and resource recovery, not only as environmental conservation measures but also as opportunities for income generation through the sale and reuse of recyclable materials.

In advancing innovative and sustainable solutions, institutions were encouraged to consider investing in biogas biodigesters that convert organic waste into clean energy. This approach has the potential to reduce dependence on LP Gas, lower operational costs, and contribute to minimising waste generation.

Stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting waste separation initiatives, expanding recycling programmes, promoting waste-to-energy projects, and actively contributing to the implementation of the City’s 100-Day Action Plan.

Preparations for the upcoming Disability Expo slated for the 24th to the 26th of June 2026 are gathering momentum as the National Organizing Committee convened in Masvingo to assess progress and coordinate final arrangements ahead of the event.

As host of this year’s Expo, City of Masvingo continues to make significant infrastructure improvements to ensure the venue is ready to accommodate exhibitors, participants, and visitors.

Among the completed works so far are the renovations of multipurpose courts and the construction of new ablution facilities at the Expo site to improve accessibility, comfort, and the overall experience for attendees.

In addition, four fishponds have been constructed at Jairos Jiri Association as part of broader efforts to enhance facilities and support inclusive and sustainable livelihood initiatives linked to the event.

The National Organizing Committee meeting provided an opportunity to review progress, strengthen coordination among stakeholders, and ensure all preparations remain on course ahead of the Expo.

The Disability Expo is expected to showcase innovation, inclusion, skills development, and opportunities that promote the participation and empowerment of persons with disabilities.

The City of Masvingo’s Runyararo Clinic last week launched a free Tuberculosis (TB) screening campaign as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard public health and strengthen early disease detection within communities.

The campaign was aimed at encouraging residents to get screened early and access treatment in time, while also raising awareness about tuberculosis, a disease that remains preventable, detectable and curable when identified early.

Health officials urged members of the public, particularly those experiencing symptoms such as a persistent cough, fever, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss, to make use of the free screening services being offered.

Speaking on the importance of the program, Ms Nyevero Nzvura highlighted that early screening not only improves chances of successful treatment but also helps reduce the spread of TB within households and communities.

The screening exercise will be rolled out at selected locations across Masvingo to ensure services are accessible to as many residents as possible. In addition to screening, healthcare professionals will provide education on TB prevention and management, including the importance of completing treatment, practicing good hygiene, maintaining proper ventilation, covering coughs, and wearing masks where necessary.

“Together, Yes We Can End TB” remains the campaign’s call to action as the city continues to promote healthier and safer communities for all.

The City of Masvingo today successfully hosted the Intermunicipal Schools Ball Games, bringing together young sporting talent from across Zimbabwe in a vibrant showcase of teamwork, discipline and sporting excellence.

Participating local authorities included City of Masvingo, City of Kwekwe, City of Harare, City of Mutare and Ruwa Local Board, with learners competing across various ball sport disciplines in a spirit of unity and healthy competition.

Following an exciting day of competition, the overall winners were announced as:

1st Place – City of Mutare

2nd Place – City of Masvingo

3rd Place – City of Harare

Congratulations to all participating teams for their dedication, sportsmanship and outstanding performances. The tournament continues to demonstrate the important role of sport in nurturing talent, building friendships and strengthening intermunicipal relations.