Staff Reporter
Government has launched a three-day workshop focused on decolonizing the mindsets of local authority leaders, including mayors, chairpersons, and councillors. Organized by the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology and held at the Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare, the training is part of a larger initiative to improve governance and enhance service delivery across Zimbabwe.
Speaking after the conclusion of the three-day training, Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, emphasized the significance of the workshop in strengthening local governance.
“The training would enable local authorities to better align their policies and strategies with the overarching goals of the central government, ensuring a unified approach to national development. This workshop empowers our local leaders not only to understand the national vision but also to implement policies that resonate with central government priorities. By fostering this alignment, we are accelerating Zimbabwe’s progress toward achieving its ambitious target of becoming an upper-middle-income country by 2030 ," he explained.
Minister Garwe emphasized the vital role local authorities play in shaping national affairs, highlighting their autonomy in crafting policies tailored to the needs of their communities.
“Local authorities are at the forefront of development, and their ability to create community-focused policies is essential for driving progress," he remarked.
Meanwhile, Mazowe North Constituency, Ward 29, Councillor Norman Mazhowo revealed that the authorities should organize such initiatives for all citizens in an effort to drive patriotism, national security and Zimbabwean history into their doorsteps.
“Delivering these lectures is very important in fostering a strong sense of national identity and loyalty to the founding principles and values brought by the liberation struggle as realized since Zimbabwe attained its independence,” he said.
Harare Municipality women’s quota councillor Charlotte Mukarati echoed same sentiments proposing that the training should be compulsory.
“I think it is high time that these trainings should be compulsory as this has been the template used in other countries,” said Mukarati.
This initiative aligns with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s "Call to Action — No Compromise to Service Delivery" blueprint, launched last year in response to declining service delivery within local councils. The training aims to equip leaders with the necessary tools to improve governance and community engagement.
The workshop's focus on decolonising the mind reflects a national interest in prioritizing collective goals over individual self-interests, reinforcing the government's commitment to fostering a unified approach to development.
