Bulawayo, (New Ziana) –President Emmerson Mnangagwa will visit Bulawayo in the first two weeks of this month for a roundtable Indaba with councilors and top management from all the 92 local authorities in the country.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said this during a heritage training program for councilors organised by the Chitepo School of Ideology in the second largest city last week.
The event brought together representatives from all local authorities in Matabeleland North province. “Every year, the President sets aside time to engage with local authorities, including councilors, mayors, town clerks, and other senior staff.
“This year, we will host him in Bulawayo, where we will present our wish lists, expectations, and contributions as both rural and urban local authorities,” he said.
He added that the indaba would address critical issues such as the welfare of councilors, including incentives like duty-free vehicle imports and access to residential stands.
“I can’t reveal too much, but I can assure you that the President is
fully aware of your welfare concerns. He has already revised your welfare packages to a level that is acceptable and fair,” he said.
Garwe urged all local authorities to prepare thoroughly for the indaba, despite budgetary constraints, to ensure meaningful engagement with the President.
“Let’s prepare ourselves. We understand the financial challenges, but we will ensure that mayors, town clerks, and senior council officials attend this crucial meeting,” he said.
Meanwhile Garwe urged local authorities in Zimbabwe to embrace thetraditional Nhimbe/Ilima concept, a communal approach to pooling resources, as a sustainable solution to rehabilitate aging
infrastructure such as roads and dams.
Nhimbe/Ilima is a centuries-old African tradition of collective work and mutual support, deeply rooted in Zimbabwean culture.
It fosters community-driven economic, social, and political development by encouraging collaboration for the common good.
Garwe highlighted the urgent need to address the deteriorating state of rural roads and bridges, stressing that the Nhimbe/Ilima model could provide a practical and cost-effective solution.
“We need our roads fixed properly. During our briefings, we were informed that some rural roads are completely impassable.
“However, this is not the ideal time to start repairs, as heavy rains could undo all our efforts. Instead, we must plan strategically,” he said.
He said President Emmerson Mnangagwa had directed his Ministry, in collaboration with that of Transport and Infrastructure Development, to revive the Nhimbe/Ilima concept. The initiative aims to mobilise local authorities to pool their resources and equipment for communal infrastructure projects.
“The Nhimbe concept teaches us that communities can achieve great things by working together for a common cause. In this case, our shared goal is to repair and maintain our roads and bridges using the resources we already have,” he explained.
Garwe cited examples of local authorities such as Tsholotsho, Nkayi, Hwange, Victoria Falls, and Binga, which already possess some road construction equipment.
He said by combining these resources, communities can tackle infrastructure projects more effectively.
“Tsholotsho RDC has graders, dozers and rakers, while Nkayi and Hwange also have equipment. If we bring these machines together, we can focus on one area, like Nkayi, and complete all necessary road repairs before moving to the next place. That’s the essence of Nhimbe,” he said.
Garwe said the Ministry of Transport, through the Zimbabwe National Road Authority (ZINARA), will support the initiative by providing fuel and servicing the equipment.
New Ziana
