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Sydney Mubaiwa in ZAKA
Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs Ezra Chadzamira has urged women and youths to take advantage of Government’s devolution programme by engaging in developmental projects to encourage self-reliance.

Addressing hundreds of people gathered at Chief Neromwe’s installation ceremony at Masimbaavanhu Primary School in Chiredzi North last week, Minister Chadzamira said it was time youths and women took a leading role in initiating development in their communities. He said the role of youths and women in development was vital and urged them to stop perceiving themselves as marginalised.

“It is high time for our youths and women to start working together with other members of the community so as to create a harmonised society with one developmental goal,” said Minister Chadzamira. “Continuous separation of men and women will result in potential conflict which will negatively impact development and hinder progress.

“Members of the society have to understand that under devolution, Zimbabwe remains a unitary state. There will be transfer of certain powers, authority and resources from the centre to lower tiers of society.”
Minister Chadzamira said the development initiatives will start at grassroots level.

“Devolution entails leadership from roots going upward,” he said. “Our youths must also participate, not only in attendance, but in decision-making as well. We want everyone to be taken on board regardless of gender.

That is why we had called for women involvement. The development initiatives will pass through four clusters — the village, ward, district and provincial development committees. Traditional leaders are key and they shall be consulted on any development initiative.”

Government has prioritised development under the devolution initiative which saw every province receiving funding for projects.

Minister Chadzamira said developmental priorities for special groups in the province will be made through consultations with the local traditional leadership. He said engagement with traditional leaders was important in identifying key areas at the heart of development in rural communities.

“We can have the resources, but we need specific areas which need urgent development and these areas can be identified by the community leaders including our traditional leaders,” said Minister Chadzamira.

“Apart from engagement, people will develop a sense of ownership once they are consulted which will ensure collective ownership of development schemes as a way of guarding against vandalism, theft and other things which affect development goals ahead of President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 trajectory.”

The Masvingo provincial leadership is targeting empowerment of women and youths under devolution and the two groups have already received priority in the issuing of fishing permits at Tugwi-Mukosi Dam under Government’s Command Fisheries programme.