Online Reporter
Takudzwa Mangrozah and Belindah Chikandiwa-Herald Reporters
THE City of Harare and the Ministry of Skills Audit and Development yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch the city’s first-ever local authority competence analysis, an initiative designed to modernise service delivery and align the municipal workforce with contemporary urban demands.
The partnership marks the beginning of a comprehensive review of the city’s human resources, aimed at identifying skills gaps, enhance training programmes, and prepare for challenges such as digitalisation, climate change and a growing youth population.
Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume said the audit is foundational to building a competent workforce.
“Today’s signing marks not just a partnership, but a vital step in ensuring that our human capital is equipped to meet the demands of modern municipal governance,” he said.
Cllr Mafume said the audit would create a baseline of the city’s capacities.
“We need to know what we have, what we need, and how to upskill our teams to deliver world-class services,” he said.
“We cannot manage a 21st-century city with outdated skills.”
Echoing the Mayor’s sentiments, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Skills, Audit and Development, Ambassador Rudo Chitiga, described the partnership as historic.
She confirmed that Harare will serve as a pilot project for a national skills transformation programme.
“We are beginning here because Harare embodies the challenges and opportunities that other local authorities also face,” Amb Chitiga said.
She outlined the audit’s strategic purpose, saying it must answer key questions.
“What competencies are required? What do we currently have? Where are the gaps?”
Amb Chitiga added that the initiative will improve coordination with universities and vocational centres, ensuring they can supply the specific skills the city requires.
Officials said the results of the Harare audit are expected to set a national standard for skills-based governance and inform similar reforms in other cities and towns across Zimbabwe.
