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Residents' voices
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA)
February 08, 2010

Editorial

The 'Residents' Voices' is an interactive platform for residents that carries their voices beyond geographic and time constraints. This space therefore gives them that chance to air their voices of dissent freely. The continued troubles belaboring the country's power sharing coalition government has left many residents in circumspect about the future of the transitional government. The declaration by ZANU PF that their negotiators should not cede more concessions before the removal of sanctions coupled with the recent directive by the President that all cabinet ministers should report to the 2 Vice Presidents has been taken by residents as evidence that there is general lack of sincerity in the inclusive government. Firstly ZANU PF has shown that it wants to use the time deal with its internal squabbles and does not want a new constitution. Most residents however believe that the MDC-T should not play into the hands of ZANU PF by pulling out of the inclusive government. Instead MDC should strive to expose ZANU PF for what it is and make sure that the constitution making process is not derailed. The constitution making process remains fundamental for the residents and it is incumbent upon the players in the inclusive government to deliver the constitution. Anything short of that will be unacceptable to the residents.

The MZWP nationalization debate

There has been and there still is a lot of debate in the city of Bulawayo following the nationalization of the Zambezi Water Project (MZWP) by the government. By merely following these debates, it is clear that the nationalization issue has evoked a lot of mixed feelings and provoked residents' interest in the government's commitment to ending water woes in the region. There are hopes that the present government, unlike the previous one may be showing signs of having people at heart. The century year old project has from time immemorial been used as an instrument to toy residents into putting some individuals into power, with no desire however to meet the fundamental needs of the people in the region, raising fears that the region may have been forgotten. Well it seems the pendulum has shifted as the new government has adopted the project and pledged to work tirelessly to make sure the project lives. It will be pretty much to early to ascertain for real, the political will and evasiveness in this unfolding development, but at least the developments seem to be in tandem with the demands and expectations of the people in the region, save for a few who antagonize it for political reasons. One reason that makes people happy is that at least there is platform for engagement between the service providers and residents unlike the previous status quo where the project was being run like a private enterprise with no resemblance of accountability. The residents are able to invite the responsible minister to give feedback and consult as the need arise which the basis of local democracy.

Youths and women unite in constitution making

The Bulawayo Progressive residents' secretaries for youth and gender development will, next week hold consultative Focus Meetings to conscientize residents on the need to prioritize youths and women's concerns in the new constitution. The meeting that shall be held in the 12 constituencies of Bulawayo will bring together churches, community based CSOs and other stakeholders, will seek to build consensus on the issues to be raised to the outreach teams.

For more on the convention and results visit www.bprazim.org

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