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'Government working towards democratic local governance'
The Herald (Zimbabwe)
July 21, 2004

http://www.herald.co.zw/index.php?id=33989&pubdate=2004-07-21

Government is working towards the formulation of a democratic and representative local government system that responds to the needs of the people, the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Cde Ignatius Chombo, has said.

He said the Government was engaged in fundamental reforms that are intended to ensure effective and efficient management of local authorities and the equitable distribution of natural resources.

Cde Chombo made the remarks when he officially opened a two-day Africa Mayors’ Course Design and Planning Workshop in Harare yesterday.

The 10 participating mayors were drawn from Eastern and Southern African countries, namely Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

"We believe that local government is about the people. In essence, local government refers fundamentally to the people drawn from all walks of life, together to determine the path that their destiny should take," said Cde Chombo.

Cde Chombo commended the Municipal Development Partnership for Eastern and Southern Africa for organising the workshop.

The mayors are expected to design a course that will enhance their capacity to effectively manage the affairs of cities for the benefit of citizens.

"This is quite an innovative approach to capacity building. Its innovativeness lies not only in its attempt to give opportunity to prospective learners to identify their training needs but also to allow them to determine how the training should be delivered and financed," he said.

Cde Chombo noted the approach helps to foster ownership of the course and commitment and ensure its success. He urged MDP-ESA to apply the approach in all its training programmes.

"In that regard, my ministry views this workshop as quite significant since it is the first of its kind to bring mayors together to design and plan their own capacity enhancement programme," said Cde Chombo.

The workshop is expected to help mayors in the region share ideas and experiences on how to respond to the emerging challenges that come with rapid urbanisation, decentralisation and globalisation.

The challenges include the prevention and management of HIV/Aids, increasing urban poverty and other social vices like prostitution, drug abuse, juvenile delinquency and the pervasive problem of street kids and street families, he said.

Cde Chombo said most cities in the region were characterised by run down infrastructure, services, sprawling slums, overcrowded and unplanned settlements, overcrowded and unregulated informal activities such as vending, brewing of illicit beers and taxi touting.

Most of the problems were often blamed on corruption, poor governance and high degree of centralisation of power and resources in the hands of central government.

Cde Chombo said successful responses to such challenges depended upon the quality and capacity of local government leaders to lead with determination and foresight.

"While capacity building of human resources is critical, ensuring that trained leaders have the requisite knowledge for discharging their responsibilities is equally vital, thus the pertinence of this workshop," he said.

The secretary-general of the African Local Authorities Association, Mr Charles Katiza, said mayors should be able to create best practices by providing leadership in building bridges usable beyond local and national networks and partnerships.

"Our mayors should appreciate the new focus towards eradication of poverty, mitigating HIV and Aids and developing mechanisms to facilitate local economic development, and to develop strategies capable of helping their city contribute towards peace and security," he said.

MDP regional director Mr George Matovu said mayors needed to be educated on how to attract investors, engage residents in consultations and preparing strategic plans.

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