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Harare needs a business minded mayor
Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA)
August 20, 2013

As election fever slowly slips off people’s minds and thoughts, many have not taken time to think about other posts that still need to be filled. At local government level, Harare and other major urban cities such as Bulawayo will have to go through a process which will come up with the posts of Mayor and their respective deputies. To that end CHRA would like to inform the powers that be, on behalf of residents the qualities of an individual we endeavour to lead us the residents of Harare through the next five years.

Background

Harare has been grappling with a crisis of service delivery which was inherited from the commission which presided over the deterioration of infrastructure while embezzling public funds in an unprecedented manner. To that end, it became public knowledge that upon entry in office of the elected council in 2008, the councillors had a mammoth task of restoring the city back to its sunshine status. Areas that include Mabvuku, Tafara, Greendale, Highlands, Hillside and other northern suburbs had gone for years without water running from their taps. However, the first goal achieved by the council was to restore water which however, was still erratic. Piles of refuse which had last been collected years back were cleared, some which tested positive of salmonella Typhea. Some roads were resurfaced which include 4th street. For the first time in 2009, budget consultative meetings were reconvened drawing views from residents with regards to the budget. Prior to this era, the Makwavarara and Mahachi commissions had failed to consult residents on the budget, whilst running municipal affairs as if they were running their own private companies.

Lessons from this can be linked to the leadership of council which was bent on a business like model when it came to resource mobilisation and asset mobilization.

The Mayor we want

As the Combined Harare Residents Association, we are a grouping of residents who are heterogeneous politically, spiritually and culturally. We therefore recommend for the position of Mayor an individual with the following attributes:

1. Business minded person, who has a track record of large business networks that could culminate into funding for rudimentary services in Harare.

2. Less politically active person who is able to network and link with all residents who is not limited by political boundaries. We believe that this will encourage civic participation of all residents despite their political affiliation.

3. We need someone who is not known for taking double standards politically. Someone who can stick to what is in the best interest of residents and not the Minister of Local Government.

4. A person who can identify with the grassroots as well as the Church fraternity

5. A mature individual who is not inspired by political phenomenon, but is driven by the ideals of good governance and democracy in logical manner.

6. Someone who has an impeccable understanding of good service provision which is participatory, affordable, effective and efficient.

7. Someone of high moral standing, impeccable reputation, proven track record in local governance matters and has demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt that he/she can go beyond partisan politics.

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