Chronicle Editor
Marshall Ndlela, [email protected]
ZIMBABWE’S municipalities are facing numerous challenges, leading to their malfunctioning and the deteriorating state of infrastructure within the country.
However, there is hope for the revival of these municipalities through the skills and expertise of diasporan technocrats, who possess a unique perspective and a pan-African ideology that can contribute to the reshaping and redevelopment of these crucial urban centres. Municipalities play a pivotal role in the development and growth of Zimbabwe.
They are responsible for providing essential services such as water supply, waste management, transportation and urban planning. These services are vital for the well-being and quality of life of the citizens. Additionally, municipalities have the power to attract investment and create a conducive environment for economic development.
As Zimbabwe pursues its Vision 2030, it is crucial to include the skills and experiences of diasporan technocrats in the process. These individuals have acquired valuable knowledge from developed countries and can infuse these insights into reshaping and redeveloping the municipalities.
Their pan-African ideology can help create sustainable solutions that cater to the needs of the local population and foster economic growth.
Municipalities should be viewed as the backbone of local development and their current dilapidated state is a cause for concern for the overall development and economic growth of Zimbabwe. Taking inspiration from success stories in countries such as India and China, where rural economies have been transformed through effective municipal management, Zimbabwe can create similar success stories with the assistance of diasporan technocrats.
The foreign-acquired experience brought by diasporans can also facilitate practical town twinning and investment linking. By leveraging their networks and connections abroad, these technocrats can attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and establish partnerships that bring knowledge, resources and capital to the municipalities.
President Mnangagwa has called upon diasporans to participate in the new dispensation, not just through financial investments but also through technical expertise and extensive networks with diverse investors and experts abroad. This highlights the importance of diasporan involvement in the redevelopment of municipalities as a means to achieve sustainable growth and development.
The current malfunctioning municipalities in Zimbabwe are not focusing on disruptive and radical shifts that could greatly benefit the citizens. It is essential to challenge the status quo and implement innovative strategies that address the needs of the people. Municipalities should also be part of innovative local Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives, adopting user-pay models or Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) strategies that enhance efficiency and accountability.
An overhaul of operational strategies in line with government directives and statutory laws is necessary for the rejuvenation of municipalities. There should be a shift from viewing municipalities solely as revenue collectors or enforcers to entities with a clear local economic value-adding strategy. This can be achieved by re-invigorating municipalities to become functional, commercial, value-adding and cultural pillars of society.
Municipalities can attract businesses by utilising the goodwill and image they possess to secure FDI from diasporans and external investors. By showcasing the abundant natural resources, such as minerals, plants, medicinal plants, fruits and flora and fauna, municipalities can create opportunities for tourism and sustainable economic growth.
Additionally, it is imperative to address the status quo of relying on land sales, property sales and stands sales as the core revenue generation activities for municipalities. Instead, the focus should shift towards valuing the local domestic product as a measure of municipal success or progress. This will encourage the promotion of local industries, entrepreneurship and job creation within the municipality.
Diasporan technocrats hold the key to revitalising Zimbabwe’s dilapidated municipalities. Their skills, experiences and pan-African ideology can bring about the necessary disruptive and radical shifts required for the development and growth of the country. It is crucial for the government, municipalities and citizens to embrace their expertise, network and knowledge to reshape the municipalities into functional, commercially vibrant and socially uplifted entities that attract both local and external investment.
*Marshall Rufura Ndlela is a renowned academic and economist. He can be contacted at [email protected]
Online Reporter