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Admire Masuku
Zimbabwe recently won second runner-up prize in the All-Africa Public Sector Innovation Awards (AAPSIA) held at the African Union’s 8th Pan African Conference of Ministers of Public/Civil Service in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.The country, which was represented by Harare Polytechnic, submitted an underground Water Harvesting System project under the “Innovative Service Delivery Institutions” category.
The first prize under the category was won by Egypt, which submitted a project on the distribution of seeds to farmers.
Other countries that scooped awards were South Africa, which won the first prize in the “Innovations in the Systems and Processes of Governance” category and Tanzania, which came first in the “Innovative Partnerships in Service Delivery” category.
The awards ceremony was held on December 9 at Milton Hotel. Initially, the ceremony was scheduled for the African Union Building but was later held at the hotel.
The projects were supposed to show innovation, demonstrate impact, sustainability and replicable in other communities.
This year’s awards attracted 54 entries and were held under the theme, “The Public Sector Innovating towards the Africa We Want,” which resonates with objectives of Agenda 2063’s vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa.
AAPSIA awards seek to promote innovation and encourage effective public service delivery across the African continent.
The awards were launched during the 5th Pan African Conference of Ministers of Public Service in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2005, under the auspices of the AU and New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
Harare Polytechnic and Gweru Polytechnic took part in the awards after receiving an invitation from the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education Science and Technology Development.
Harare Polytechnic principal, Engineer Tafadzwa Mudondo, the project initiator and implementer, says the prize is a recognition for the country’s contribution towards providing innovative solutions to problems affecting the continent and resonates well with the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (ZimAsset)
“This is a milestone for us as a country. We are pleased by the achievement. It confirms that solutions offered by Harare Polytechnic are not only confined to our borders but resonates throughout Africa.
We raised the flag of the country high. The awards were an eye opener – whatever we do we should not be afraid to venture out to the continent so that we are also assessed together with other countries,” said Engineer Mudondo.
Harare Polytechnic now runs on 100 percent borehole water.
The project harvests underground water through 10 boreholes that are connected seamlessly to the main water supply system.
It has ensured the provision of clean water and reduced high water bills.
Resources saved through the implementation of the water harvesting system project have been channelled towards other infrastructural projects such as the construction of a perimeter wall, a modern clinic, a guardroom, a tennis court grandstand and carports.
Some of the resources have been channelled towards rehabilitation, refurbishment of buildings and purchase of a 650 kVA generator to supply electricity in times of power cuts.
Because of its efficiency, other tertiary education institutions have started adapting the project for their communities.
Online Reporter