The City of Masvingo, in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), is currently conducting a three-day Gender Management Training Workshop aimed at strengthening gender mainstreaming within the local authority and enhancing the capacity of councillors, management, and staff to address gender-related issues in the workplace and community. The workshop is providing an intensive learning and engagement platform focused on promoting gender equality, preventing gender-based violence (GBV), and fostering inclusive service delivery. Participants are exploring various critical topics surrounding gender-based violence, including the forms of GBV, its root causes, and its impact on individuals, families, and communities. Discussions underway are focusing on how social, cultural, and economic factors contribute to gender-based violence and the importance of coordinated responses to effectively address the issue. A key component of the training is the examination of referral pathways for GBV survivors, highlighting the role of institutions in ensuring that victims receive timely support and access to essential services such as counselling, medical care, legal assistance, and protection services. The workshop is also focusing on gender mainstreaming, equipping participants with practical knowledge on how to integrate gender perspectives into council policies, programmes, and service delivery processes. This approach ensures that the needs and interests of both women and men are considered in decision-making and development planning. Another important area being covered during the training is sexual harassment in the workplace, where participants are discussing the different forms it can take, the importance of creating safe and respectful working environments, and mechanisms for reporting and addressing cases when they arise. City of Masvingo is currently working towards promoting gender equality, preventing gender-based violence, and creating an inclusive and safe working environment for all employees and and the community, and the training marks an important step in strengthening institutional capacity to effectively mainstream gender considerations in governance and service delivery while contributing to broader national and global efforts to eliminate gender-based violence.

The Mayor of City of Masvingo, Cllr. Aleck Tabe, has been honoured with the 1st Runner-Up award in the President’s Performance Excellence in Service Delivery Awards under the Mayor/Council Chairpersons for Local Authorities category.

The prestigious awards are part of the Government’s performance management system spearheaded by His Excellence, President Emmerson D. Mnangagwa, which recognises outstanding public sector leaders who demonstrate commitment to efficient governance, accountability, and improved service delivery. The initiative encourages leaders across government institutions and local authorities to meet national development targets and improve services for citizens.

Mayor Tabe’s recognition reflects the outstanding progress and efforts being made by the City of Masvingo in strengthening local governance, enhancing infrastructure development, and improving the delivery of essential services to residents.

Under his leadership, Council has been advancing initiatives aimed at modernising council services, promoting community participation, and supporting sustainable urban development.

Receiving the national accolade places the City of Masvingo among the country’s leading local authorities, demonstrating excellence in public administration leadership.

The award also highlights the collective efforts of councillors, management, and staff who continue to work towards providing quality services to the people of Masvingo.

The President’s Performance Excellence Awards form part of a broader national framework designed to promote a culture of results, accountability, and excellence within Zimbabwe’s public sector institutions.

Through such recognition, the City of Masvingo continues to solidify its reputation as a forward-looking local authority committed to service excellence and inclusive urban development.