MUTARE- Sophia Gwasira, Mutare’s Ward 8 councillor was sworn in as
Mayor of Mutare last week making her the first woman to lead the fourth largest
city in Zimbabwe.
Gwasira was unanimously elected Mayor of the eastern border town last
Monday in a closed door full council meeting shortly after the swearing in
ceremony.
She will be deputised by councillor Cloud Nengomasha of Ward 12.
Gwasira who takes over from former mayor and Ward 11councillor Simon
Chabuka said she was humbled at being elected the first female mayor of the
city and pleased to make history aimed at inspiring women and young girls.
“I feel great. I am part of history which will be read over the coming years and
hopefully someone, especially other women and young girls out there, will be
inspired by this. Hard work and persistence pays off.
“Do not ever look down upon yourself because you are a woman. Just as I have
been inspired by other women in power out there, I hope someone else is also
inspired by my story,” said the elated Mayor Gwasira.
Turning to her task ahead as the Mayor of Mutare, Cllr Gwasira said she had the
pro poor policy at heart and was particularly interested in furthering the needs
of previously vulnerable groups such as the elderly and people living with
disabilities and vulnerable children.
“Council has special programmes for these groups that have not really been
publicised or made known. Last year council also came up with a pro poor
policy which focused on the needs of the poor and bridging the gap created in
our societies, so, over and above planned council projects, I will be furthering
these as well,” she said.
Having been in council since 2018, Cllr Gwasira said she was well acquainted
with the local authority’s long term strategic plan on which she is hinging on till
2025 as she opens doors to change and new projects coming on board for
effective service delivery in the city.
“Council exits in perpetuity, the strategic plan was very consultative in nature
and in it there are a number of projects that the last council, together with

management and residents had agreed to do. I will run with those projects so
that as a council we do not divert from our plan which we agreed on.
“That however does not mean we are closing out any new projects. Remember
change is the only constant thing and going forward, we will update where we
need to update as a council and also upgrade where need be,” said Cllr Gwasira.
She further urged council to work as a united front against all odds giving a
background of the local authority struggling with revenue collections.
“We should be united and ensure that we work together in improving service
delivery for our council so that the revenue we get from our residents is put to
good use in pursuit of satisfying service delivery in our local authority. As
councillors who have been entrusted by residents who voted for us, we are
going to ensure that we work as a team ensuring the development of our
beautiful city,” said Cllr Gwasira.
“Mutareans, we have had a track record of cleanliness, efficient and effective
service delivery (despite the economic conditions), innovation, teamwork and
above all being good citizens. I promise you that during my term of office as
Mayor, I will uphold and even improve service delivery.
“I will ensure that the good record about Mutare is maintained. It is my wish
that as residents, stakeholders, councillors and the management at City of
Mutare continue working as a team to ensure that Mutare grows to be a better
and bigger city,” she added.
The newly elected Mayor said she would not be shaken by any challenges ahead
and believe in the doors of opportunities opening up for a bigger and brighter
city.
“I’m not one to see challenges or troubles I see opportunities to build cities not
for us but for our children. Eventually the whole is greater than the sum of its
parts, therefore mine will be to lead and inspire team members to work towards
the goals we have set out to achieve, together we can,” she said.
Her worship was elected as councillor in 2018 and sworn in on September 6,
2018. She was however recalled in December 2020 and later re-elected during
the March 26 by-elections last year.
Of the 25 councillors in Mutare city, eight are female with six of them coming
in through the proportional representation quota.
The Citizens Coalition for Change won the majority of seats after supplying 23
councillors to the chamber.