As part of our ongoing #FoodSafetyCampaign in Masvingo City, the Environmental Health Team is conducting a hygiene assessment blitz around city food.

The exercise is focusing on assessing hygiene standards, identifying potential contamination risks, and ensuring compliance with basic food safety practices.

As part of the inspection process, swabbing of work surfaces and food handlers was done around City food outlets the exercises is meant to strengthen food hygiene and improve manufacturing practices as a way to uphold public health prevention strategies in order to prevent food borne diseases.

City of Masvingo remains dedicated to promoting safe food handling practices through sustaining quality of life by safeguarding quality of food and water

The City of Masvingo has convened a 2026 Council Budget Implementation Planning Workshop aimed at strengthening service delivery, enhancing accountability, and ensuring effective execution of the approved 2026 budget.

The workshop brought together senior management, heads of departments, and key Stakeholder Budget Committee to align the implementation strategy with the Council’s strategic objectives and community priorities.

Speaking at the workshop, the Town Clerk, Eng Edward Mukaratirwa emphasized the importance of translating the approved budget into tangible development outcomes that directly benefit residents.

The session focused on fostering a results-oriented culture, improving coordination across departments, and ensuring that allocated resources are utilized efficiently and transparently.

Workshop was guided by the following key objectives:

1) To introduce the Stakeholder Budget Committee and outline its Terms of Reference, ensuring clarity on roles, responsibilities, and oversight mechanisms in the implementation process.

2) To prepare the 2026 Budget Implementation Plan/Matrix, detailing timelines, responsible departments, performance indicators, and monitoring frameworks to guide execution throughout the year.

3) To share and discuss the Mayor’s and Town Clerk’s 2026 Performance Contracts, reinforcing accountability, performance tracking, and alignment with Council priorities and national development goals.

The development of a comprehensive implementation matrix is expected to strengthen monitoring and evaluation systems, enabling Council to track progress, address bottlenecks, and deliver projects within set timelines.

The City of Masvingo remains committed to prudent financial management, transparency, and inclusive governance as it works towards sustainable urban development and improved service delivery in 2026.

Today, His Worship, the Mayor Cllr. Aleck Tabe handed over hampers of baby layette to antenatal mothers, postnatal mothers, Christmas babies, and the first babies delivered at North West Medical Centre, in a heart-warming gesture funded through the 2025 Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund.

The handover ceremony, held at Mazorodze Maternity Clinic, was aimed at supporting maternal and child welfare while celebrating new life within the community. Beneficiaries included expectant mothers attending antenatal care, mothers who recently delivered, babies born on Christmas Day, as well as the first babies to be delivered at North West medical Centre.

Speaking during the event, His Worship, the Mayor said the initiative reflects the City’s commitment to promoting maternal health, supporting families, and sharing joy with residents during and after the festive season. The Mayor emphasized that the Christmas Cheer Fund was established to give back to vulnerable groups in the community and ensure that no one is left behind during moments of celebration.

“These hampers symbolise care, hope and shared responsibility as a city. We celebrate these new-borns as the future of our community and reaffirm our support to mothers during this important stage of life,” said the Mayor.

The baby layette hampers included essential items such as baby clothes, blankets and other necessities to assist mothers in caring for their new-borns. Beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the gesture, describing it as timely and uplifting, especially during the demanding early days of motherhood.

The 2025 Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund continues to play a key role in supporting social welfare initiatives across the city, reinforcing the values of compassion, inclusivity and community solidarity.

City of Masvingo in partnership with Mckingtorch Zimbabwe has introduced Masvingo Recycling Hub, an initiative aimed at strengthening sustainable waste management and promoting a circular economy.

This initiative aims to promote waste separation at source, strengthen recycling systems, create green jobs, and empower communities to actively participate in environmental stewardship.

This program was built on strong partnerships and recognised the critical role of residents, the private sector, informal waste collectors, educational institutions, and development partners in ensuring its success.

Council calls upon all households, businesses, and institutions to embrace responsible waste management practices, support recycling initiatives, and comply with municipal by-laws on environmental health and sanitation. This initiative also contributes to economic opportunities, climate resilience, and sustainable urban development.

Masvingo Recycling Hub is not just a project. It is a vision for the future of Masvingo city, a future where Masvingo is recognised as a model green city in Zimbabwe and a city where environmental responsibility, economic growth, and community wellbeing go hand in hand.

#Together, let us turn waste into wealth, challenges into opportunities, and vision into reality.

#Together, let us build a cleaner ,healthier, and more sustainable Masvingo

The City of Masvingo, in collaboration with Charles Austin Theatre, is holding a two-day drug and substance abuse awareness campaign aimed at educating and empowering school-going youths to make informed, healthy life choices.

The campaign brings together key stakeholders, including the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), health personnel, educators, and community leaders, in a concerted effort to combat the growing challenge of drug and substance abuse among young people.

Central to the program are compelling testimonials from former drug addicts, who share real-life experiences on the dangers of substance abuse, its impact on health, education, family life, and future prospects. Their stories are intended to discourage youths from experimenting with drugs and to inspire those already affected to seek help and rehabilitation.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police is conducting sensitisation sessions focusing on the legal implications of drug and substance abuse, trafficking, and possession, while health personnel are providing expert information on the physical, mental, and social consequences of drug use. Emphasis is also being placed on prevention, early intervention, and available support services for affected individuals.

Speaking at the event, organisers highlighted that the campaign seeks to promote positive values, responsible decision-making, and self-discipline among youths, while strengthening life skills such as resisting peer pressure and making informed choices.

The involvement of schools is critical, as young people are among the most vulnerable groups when it comes to drug and substance abuse. By engaging them early, the aim is to prevent experimentation and promote healthy, drug-free lifestyles.

Charles Austin Theatre has provided an interactive platform for dialogue and open discussions, allowing youths to actively participate and express their views on issues affecting them, making the campaign both educational and impactful.

The City of Masvingo reaffirmed its commitment to working with partners to safeguard the well-being of young people and to create a supportive environment that promotes health, safety, and positive social development.

The two-day campaign forms part of broader efforts by City of Masvingo and its partners to address social challenges affecting the community and to build a resilient, informed, and drug-free generation.

Enhancing waste separation in Masvingo through the installation of colour-coded bins is a practical and cost-effective strategy for improving solid waste management and urban cleanliness. Colour-coded bins provide a simple visual guide that enables residents, traders, and institutions to separate waste at source into categories such as organic waste, and recyclables. This reduces contamination, improves recycling efficiency, and lowers the volume of waste to be disposed off.

In Masvingo, the introduction of clearly labelled green (organic), blue (recyclable), and black (residual) bins in markets, residential areas, schools, and public spaces can significantly improve waste handling practices. When combined with public awareness campaigns and community engagement, colour-coded bins encourage behavioural change and promote environmental responsibility. Proper separation will support composting initiatives, recycling enterprises, and job creation within the local green economy.

Overall, the installation of colour-coded bins strengthens Masvingo’s waste management system by improving collection efficiency, extending the lifespan of disposal sites, enhancing public health, and contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable city aligned with modern urban management principles.

Councill employees form the backbone of our city, managing essential services like public safety, infrastructure, sanitation, and community engagement. Therefore, implementing effective wellness strategies for Council employees not only enhances their quality of life but also fosters healthier communities they serve.

A Ripple Effect on Communities

When council employees thrive, their productivity and morale improve, translating into better public services. For instance, a physically healthy and mentally resilient emergency responder is better equipped to handle crises, ensuring public safety effectively.

The City Health Services Department offers free comprehensive health screening on-site that can help employees identify and manage health risks early. The program includes detecting issues like hypertension or diabetes before they become severe. Also offered is the

mental health support services investing in Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and providing access to therapy or counseling that can significantly reduce stress levels.

The wellness program targets a decrease in sick days and improvement in employee satisfaction.

As a new year begins, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution – Masvingo, Hon. E. R Chadzamira has rallied the city to uphold a shared national obligation of shifting from reactive cleaning to proactive culture of maintenance, ensuring that the standards of hygiene and order prevail throughout the year 2026.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister at the first Friday of the month cleaning up campaign at Exor Bus Terminus, Acting Permanent Secretary, Director Chimhande underscored that a clean Zimbabwe is not the sole burden of local authorities or the government, but a collective duty which challenges every citizen, from the cross-border traveller at Exor to the local business owner and the household resident, to move beyond once-off participation and embrace cleanliness as a daily lifestyle, ensuring safe, heathy environments in support of national Vision 2030.

He commended communities for taking significant strides in embracing cleanliness, invest in sustainable practices, support community clean-up initiatives and promote eco-friendly practices in line with the launched programs by the government to reduce plastic use and increase recycling.

Speaking at the same event, Director Health Services, Ms. S.H Madamombe highlighted the strides Council has taken so far in ensuring safe and healthy spaces through entering into strategic partnerships with the business community, schools and residents, recent being the MoA with Mckingtorch Zimbabwe. She also took a dive into current biogas projects at North-west medical Centre and schools in the city that are in line with solid waste management.

Present were Councillors, Council Management, senior government officials, heads of parastatals, uniformed forces, members of the business community, Civil Society Organisations and residents.

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.