Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
LOCAL Government and Public Works Minister, Honorable Daniel Garwe, has appointed the Checheche Town Board committee which is expected to spearhead development and progress in the growing urban settlement.
The five-member committee were sworn into office by the Chipinge District Development Coordinator, Mr William Mashava last week, paving way for the committee to begin work towards transforming the growth point into a modern and smart city as per Government’s expectation.
The members are Councillors Callisto Magama, Runiya Murire, and Tawanda Muzanya, as well as Mr Isaac Nyanjeni and Mr Flex Sibanda, drawn from the community.
In an interview, Chipinge Rural District Council chairperson, Alderman Godfrey Makuyana, said the committee members will now undergo an induction exercise to familiarise members with their roles and responsibilities before electing a chairperson and filling other posts.
“Five members of the Checheche Town Board were sworn. They are now expected to spearhead the interests of the Town Board so that it continues to grow until it is completely weaned off from Chipinge Rural District Council. Checheche has been one of the fastest growing settlement in Manicaland Province, and its new status is expected to accelerate growth and development in line with Vision 2030.
“The committee members will first undergo a rigorous induction training exercise before they elect a chairperson. We want them to fully appreciate the task ahead of them before the allocations of posts. There are a lot economic opportunities that need to explored in Checheche, and these members have to work hard to lure more investment to the area. The committee is expected to work closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure the planned development of Checheche meets the required standards and benefits local communities,” said Alderman Makuyana.
Mr Mashava said Checheche’s growth will be driven by agriculture, processing, diaspora remittances and housing for people. He said the area will have to develop along the demands of smart city.
“The Town Board Committee operates as a committee of Chipinge Rural District Council. Its sole mandate is to superintend over the affairs of Checheche. When it fully grows and have all required features of an urban settlement, the rural district council will notify the Local Government and Public Works Minister who can upgrade the area into a Town Board.
“Checheche has potential for growth as it can leverage on processing agricultural products such as sesame, cotton, sugarcane and traditional grains. Already we have companies such as GreenFuel whose majority of employees stay in Checheche. There are many cotton contracting companies operating in the area, and they must be incentivised so that they do the processing locally. There is also a lot of commercial activities mainly driven by the diaspora remittances as there is a huge number of locals living and working in South Africa. The area is also close to Chipinge and Chiredzi town and is accessible. Tourists also pass through going to Chilo Gorge and Jamanda Safari,” said Mr Mashava.
Checheche is the third urban settlement in Manicaland Province to be upgraded into a Town Board committee status after Nyanga and Murambinda.
Headlands, Nyazura and Hauna are some of the fastest urban settlements in the province.
Checheche Town Board committee appointed
