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Activities update
Bulawayo Agenda
May 02, 2012

Bulawayo Agenda held various public meetings and public speaking contests to ignite debate, promote sharing of information and ideas in various communities on issues of human rights, democracy and development. Below is what transpired in these various activities carried out;

Tsholotsho: Government should prioritise education

School children in Tsholotsho are challenging the government to provide free education for all at primary level.

Speaking at a public speaking contest organized by Tsholotsho Agenda in Mvundlana village, Moreblessed Moyo, the winner of the contest said; "Education is the backbone of development therefore government should prioritise it through offering free primary education for all",

She added that poor investment in education has denied many less privileged children especially orphans of their right to education.

The ten contestants, nine girls and a boy, urged the government of Zimbabwe to prioritise education in line with the Millennium Development Goals through providing free primary education for all.

Another contestant, Sizalobuhle Mathe said that infrastructural development was critical for children to access education especially in rural areas as schools are in a dilapidated state and lack educational resources like text books.

Mathe further emphasised the need development and resuscitation of Vocational Training Centres so that those who would have failed to further their education can develop their skills and earn a living.

In support of the children's sentiments, villagers who attended the meeting resolved to take measures against those parents who failed to support their children's education yet they have livestock they can sell for income.

Public speaking is one of the platforms created by Bulawayo Agenda in support of freedom of expression and information sharing among various community age groups.

Sithandazile Mthethwa and Mbalenhle Magagula came second and third respectively.

Gwanda: "Chombo trying to regain what Zanu PF lost in the 2008" - Zvidzai

In a meeting organized by Gwanda Agenda a local chapter of Bulawayo Agenda, Deputy Minister of Local Government Sesel Zvidzai has condemned the suspension of Gwanda Mayor Lionnel DeNecker saying it is politically motivated.

Addressing residents of Gwanda at a public meeting organised by Bulawayo Agenda last Friday, Zvidzai said Chombo was trying regain ZANU PF's lost pride.

He added that Minister Chombo was abusing his powers through the Urban Councils Act which he said Chombo is using as "a tool self enrichment and corruption".

Although the Urban Councils Act is currently before Parliament, Chombo has taken parliament to court 'for wanting to clip his wings' said the Minister.

Since 2009 to date, Minister Chombo has fired 8 Mayors and 18 councilors, none of whom belong to ZANU PF.

The Minister also called for the need for the Inclusive Government partners to put people's interest first through promoting investment and job creation.

He took a swipe at those against devolution describing them as anti-democracy agents and a threat to the people's views gathered during the constitutional outreach process.

Lupane: Children call for recognition of their rights in the new constitution

School children in Lupane have called on COPAC to ensure that the new constitution fully recognize their rights.

Speaking at a public speaking competition organized by Lupane Agenda, the participants said that the new constitution should recognize their right to free primary education for all so as to make education accessible.

They condemned the lack of platforms for them to participate and input on national processes like the constitution making process.

Education is one of the three-Millenium Development Goals which Zimbabwe adopted as but has failed to address brain drain, infrastructure dilapidation and low investment in education over the years due to economic meltdown.

The speakers also expressed disgruntlement with parents who are still stuck in the traditional support of the boy child's education whilst sideling the girl child to early marriages.

The competition, attended by more than 100 community members saw 5 boys battling it out with Tishabona Moyo coming up top. Sindiso Moyo, Ndlelende Ncube came second and third respectively.

Mutare: Devolution is the key to self determination, local development

Devolution is the answer to development and local democracy said participants at a stakeholders meeting held in Mutare Hellenic Community Hall under the theme "Strengthening local resource management through decentralisation and constitutionalisation". The meeting attended by various stakeholders who included the suspended Mutare Mayor Brian James, civil society organisations such ZimRights, Residents Associations, councilors and former Mutare Member of Parliament, sort to identify effective natural resource management opportunities in a devolved system.

Stakeholders noted that centralization of power has fueled corruption and hindered local development and democracy. They condemned processing of diamonds outside Manicaland saying it robbed them of an opportunity for employment. Participants called for harmonization of pieces of legislation governing natural resources at the same time urging government to conduct extensive consultations with locals rather than partisan leaders in any decision to be made that affects them.

Civil society was urged to increase civic education so as to curb citizens' vulnerability to manipulation leading to exploitation of their resources as has been the case and also to empower citizens ahead of the coming referendum.

Responding to Bulawayo Agendas' proposed Devolution of power model, participants said such a model will enhance local democracy as power will be decongested to communities' hence promoting citizen participation.

The negative effects of a centralized system of governance were highlighted as increasing health risks within and outside Harare as evidenced by outbreaks of Cholera and Typhoid due to poor social service delivery.

It was also pointed out that in a devolved system companies should be obliged to plough back to the community rather than the current system which only relies on the companies' discretion to uplift the lives of the communities from which they are exploiting minerals. Mbada Diamond Company sponsoring of football was noted as an example of 'tokenistic and public relations stunt' rather than comprehensive and genuine ploughing back to the community.

Participants also called for Devolution of power that incorporates power to recall so as enhance transparency, accountability and responsiveness to issues of interest by the government and office bearers.

Negotiations by the Inclusive Government on Devolution of power was condemned and labeled as a sign of disrespecting and undermining of the views of the people who spoke during the constitution outreach process. Stakeholders emphasized the need for enhanced public education and mobilization of communities to ensure that the new constitution has devolution of power as the decentralization model and local government that is established by then constitution and not subject to arbitrary manipulation by central government.

Participants further challenged civil society to unite in advocating for the reinstatement of suspended Mutare Mayor Brian James and other Mayors and councilors who are victims of Minister Chombo's abuse of powers.

Gweru: "The inclusive government is frustrating"- Moyo

The Minister of State Enterprises and Parastatals Honorable Gorden Moyo said the Inclusive Government was frustrating due to negotiations on almost everything.

Speaking at a Ministers Forum, a public meeting organized by Gweru Agenda in Gweru last week, Moyo said negotiations were stalling progress and development as it takes time to make decisions even on urgent issues.

He said this has affected his Ministry hence slow progress towards resuscitation of the parastatals that were hard hit by the economic meltdown.

Hon. Moyo called for Devolution of power with a provincial government so as to promote quick decision making and control of resources by local communities.

He postulated the need for transparency and accountability especially on gains from natural resources pointing out that Marange diamonds gains remains a secret as the money was not channeled to the Finance Ministry.

Further, Hon. Moyo raised the need to emulate countries such as South Africa who have gained a lot from parastatals due to investment on these.

Highlighting the benefits of Devolution of power, Moyo gave an example of Mozambique's economic fortunes that turned around after it devolved power.

He also touched on the pending elections saying they should be violence free and fair hence the need to fully implement the Global Political Agreement.

More than 200 participants attended the meeting and these included the Deputy Minister of urban and local government Hon. Sesel Zvidzai, local leaders, political party activists from Zanu PF, MDC-T, MDC, ZAPU, Church leaders, civic society, Gweru Agenda Committee Members and the public.

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