In a ringing endorsement of the City of Masvingo’s continuous efforts to improve the social wellbeing of the residents of Masvingo, the German –Zimbabwe Society has applauded ongoing social service activities targeted at the less privileged members of the community by Council following a whistle stop tour of Alpha Cottages Home, Mucheke Old People’s Home, Runyararo Clinic and Kernen Park.

The German – Zimbabwe Society, led by Rev Kerstin Hemker commended the Council’s Administration led by the Town Clerk, Eng. Edward Mukaratirwa for efforts made in managing to cushion the less privileged members of the society. Prior to the commencement of the tour, the Germany – Zimbabwe Society, Masvingo City Councillors. Council Management and Masvingo – Kernen Association heard the report of the
Town Clerk and remarks by Germany – Zimbabwe Society representative.

In his welcome remarks, Masvingo – Kernen Association Treasurer, Mr Chekani commended the Germany – Zimbabwe Society’s efforts in giving Masvingo a helping hand through various donations which the city has been receiving following the twinning of the two cities ( Kernen City and Masvingo City ). The report of the Town Clerk included; poverty alleviation programs by the social services
section, the state of Alpha Cottages Home, Mucheke Old People’s Home, Alfred Walter Hostel. Disability Inclusion, Educational Support, Resilience Programs and social Protection.

The touring party was particularly impressed by the projects at Alpha Cottages Home in a bid to increase income for the day to day running of the home. The team also toured Runyararo Clinic which was constructed using joint funds from City of Masvingo and Kernen City and a newly established model and imposing Kernen Park which caught the eye. In his vote of thanks, the City of Masvingo Town Clerk, Eng. Edward Mukaratirwa expressed Council’s gratitude to the visiting delegation for taking time out of their hectic schedules to embark on the familiarization tour. The Town Clerk also emphasized the fact that Council would continue to embrace the relationship with Kernen City for guidance in the various endeavours aimed at growing the City.
The agreement between the Germany city of Kernen and Masvingo City demonstrates the importance and advantages of twinning protocols between the local authority and foreign counterparts. During a visit by high-level German – Zimbabwe Society delegation to the city, officials from the society donated funds and some penicillin drugs to Runyararo Clinic which was constructed in partnership with Kernen City.
The two twinned with a view to explore exchange and cooperation in tourism infrastructure, urban planning, waste management, ICT, culture, education, sports and health.

The City of Masvingo held a 2023 Performance Contracts signing ceremony on the 24^th of March 2023 at its Civic Centre Offices.

This comes as part of the efforts at ensuring that Directors live up to their tasks and in fulfillment of the City of Masvingo’s mandate.

The 2023 Performance Contract signing ceremony was signed in the presence the Town Clerk, Eng. Edward Mukaratirwa.

The Town Clerk Eng. Edward Mukaratirwa gave a key note address on implementation of performance enhancement measures.

Eng Mukaratirwa who is the accounting officer for City of Masvingo will ensure that departments comply with the signed performance contracts every year for monitoring and evaluations purposes and to fulfill the key performance indicators.

All Directors attended and signed their respective documents upon which their work will be evaluated in the ensuing year.

The City of Masvingo held a 2023 Performance Contracts signing ceremony on the 24^th of March 2023 at its Civic Centre Offices.

This comes as part of the efforts at ensuring that Directors live up to their tasks and in fulfillment of the City of Masvingo’s mandate.

The 2023 Performance Contract signing ceremony was signed in the presence the Town Clerk, Eng. Edward Mukaratirwa.

The Town Clerk Eng. Edward Mukaratirwa gave a key note address on implementation of performance enhancement measures.

Eng Mukaratirwa who is the accounting officer for City of Masvingo will ensure that departments comply with the signed performance contracts every year for monitoring and evaluations purposes and to fulfill the key performance indicators.

All Directors attended and signed their respective documents upon which their work will be evaluated in the ensuing year.

As the nation strives towards realising NDS 1 and Vision 2030, infrastructural development anchored on the Devolution Philosophy remains a key success factor, with local authorities being the main catalyst.

To this end, over and above its service delivery function, the City of Masvingo was hailed at the just ended two-day Provincial Economic Status Workshop which was held in the city from the 22nd to the 23rd of February 2023 for successfully completing projects intended on enhancing communities and improving on service delivery.

Among the projects which were successfully developed in the City are:
Cambria Landfill which is at 98% physical completion awaiting commissioning.
Rujeko Secondary School which boasts of Form One and Two enrollment after successful completion of four classroom blocks. The school has an enrolment of 261 pupils.
The now functional and yet to be officially opened state-of-the-art Runyararo North West Medical Center with an expected beneficiary of 30 000 residents.
Garikai Fruits and Vegetables Market, Leopold Takawira Flea Market with around 1100 traders.

In keeping with its mission of providing adequate and sustainable municipal services to clients and diverse socio-economic development opportunities to all stakeholders, Council continues to provide the best services to Masvingo residents.

The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Legal Department is facilitating an eight-day By – Law Drafting and Training workshop for the City of Masvingo at Management Training Bureau (MTB) Council Management and Technical Team from 12 to 19 February 2023 in Harare.

The workshop’s main objective is to train participants to draft by – laws as they are the basis for the Council operations as well as regulation of activities in the City.

Speaking during the official opening of the workshop, the City of Masvingo Town Clerk, Eng. Edward Mukaratirwa said the seriousness of this workshop can not be re – emphasised as it is the basis for the Council operations as well as regulation of different activities in the City.

‘These by – laws are important as they form the basis for revenue collection and also for maintenance of law and order in the area under the Council’s jurisdiction’, he said.

He further highlighted that the exercise is set to benefit residents and ratepayers of Masvingo.

Speaking on the first day of the workshop, Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Deputy Legal Advisor Mrs Kudzai Tshuma called on workshop participants to draft by – laws in the best interest of the residents and ratepayers in line with the principles of good corporate governance.

Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Deputy Legal Advisor Mrs Kudzai Tshuma commended City of Masvingo for the successful crafting of by – laws in the year 2022 and also for its diverse composition, noting that collective experience of participants and success in the local governance is essential to the growth of cities in line with the Vision 2030.

Compliance and drafting of by – laws is in line with the Urban Councils Act.

Eng. Edward Mukaratirwa, reiterated and reaffirmed the City of Masvingo’s commitment to delivering on its mandate as enunciated by the parent ministry and the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).

By – Laws on discussion include; Air Pollution, Informal Trading, Regulation of derelict unoccupied and dangerous buildings, encroachment and projections on properties, prohibition of use of commercial shop and industrial properties for residential use.

Among those who are attending the workshop are officials from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, the City of Masvingo Town Clerk, Eng Edward Mukaratirwa, Chamber Secretary, Mr Vitalis Shonhai, Acting Director of Housing and Social Services, Mr Simbarashe Mandishona, Chief Environmental Health Officer, Ms Suzanne Madamombe, Finance Director, Mr Danister Jori, Deputy Director Engineering Services, Eng Kudzai Mbetu, Chief Internal Auditor, Mrs Dorcas Makusha and the City of Masvingo By – Law drafting technical team.

Eng Kudzaishe Mbetu has been appointed as the City of Masvingo substantive Deputy Director Engineering Services effective 3 January 2023.

Eng Mbetu joined City of Masvingo in 2020 as the Operations Engineer from City of Gweru where he was Water and Sewer Engineer. Eng Mbetu was subsequently promoted to the position of Acting Director Engineering Services at the absence of a substantive Director, a role which he served with diligence and dedication.

Eng Mbetu played a significant role in the successful completion of Runyararo South West Clinic, construction of Cambria Landfill, Mucheke Sewer Trunk Line, ERRP Rujeko Secondary School as the engineer in 2021 and 2022.

Eng Mbetu who has 10 years of experience in the Engineering field has a Master of Business Administration Degree (Great Zimbabwe University), Bachelor of science Honors Degree in Engineering (University of Zimbabwe), Certificate of Training in Geographic Information Systems and GPS Survey (SIRDC), Certificate in Rapid Gravity and Sand Filter (University of Zimbabwe) and Postgraduate Diploma in Water Supply and Sanitation (Institute of Water and Sanitation Development).

We wish Eng. Kudzaishe Mbetu success in his new role at City of Masvingo.

Mr Danister Jori has been appointed the new substantive Finance Director for City of Masvingo after an illustrious career in finance, following the retirement of his predecessor Mrs Thandiwe Dube on the 5^th of August 2021.

His appointment is with effect from January 3 2023.

Mr Jori studied Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Economics with University of Zimbabwe in 2001.

He did his Master of Commerce Degree (Applied Accounting) with Great Zimbabwe University in 2016.

Part of his long resume is that he worked for Gweru City Council, Go-Beer Breweries and City of Masvingo.

Mr. Jori joined City of Masvingo in 2010 as a Senior Accountant, rising a year later to become Deputy Finance Director.

He remained in this position until his latest appointment.

Mr. Jori represented Zimbabwe at the 2022 World Congress of Accounting in Mumbai India

His Worship, the Mayor, Councillors, Management and Staff congratulate Danister on his new appointment and wish him all the best in his new role.

By Oder of Council