Online Reporter
Remember Deketeke and Takunda Gambiza-Herald Correspondents
HOUSING cooperatives are central to Zimbabwe’s drive towards inclusive development, improved living standards and the attainment of Vision 2030, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Deputy Minister, Kiven Mutimbanyoka, has said.
He said this during a tour of Fountain Blue housing cooperative at Kuwadzana Phase 3 in Harare yesterday.
Deputy Minister Mutimbanyoka commended cooperatives for their growing role in delivering affordable housing units and residential stands, saying their work was restoring dignity and security to thousands of families.
“Housing is not a luxury; it is a basic human right. Your efforts to champion affordable and adequate housing are propelling Zimbabwe towards global development targets while ensuring that ordinary citizens realise this fundamental right,” he said.
Dep Min Mutimbanyoka said unlike profit-driven ventures, housing cooperatives were rooted in solidarity, collective responsibility and empowerment.
“The homes you have built are more than bricks and mortar; they are symbols of unity, resilience and hope. The Ministry looks forward to seeing modern and even luxurious cooperative gated communities that will encourage more Zimbabweans to join housing cooperatives,” he said.
The deputy minister highlighted the importance of coordination among Government institutions, saying the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities and local authorities such as Harare City Council were working together to create an enabling environment for cooperative housing development.
“This tripartite partnership ensures proper planning, infrastructure rollout and service delivery, reducing bureaucratic delays and fostering integrated, affordable and liveable human settlements,” he said.
Dep Min Mutimbanyoka said sustainability in the cooperative sector depended on sound governance and strict adherence to the Cooperative Societies Act.
“Strong governance is not just about compliance; it is about protecting members’ trust, ensuring equity and safeguarding the future of cooperatives. Annual General Meetings, economic membership and independent yearly audits are non-negotiable pillars of transparency and accountability,” he said.
The deputy minister urged housing cooperatives to prioritise infrastructure development, warning that housing without water, sanitation, roads and sewer systems undermined human dignity.
“A house without clean water or proper sanitation cannot truly be called a home. These investments are not optional; they are essential for health, dignity and well-being,” he said.
Dep Min Mutimbanyoka said housing cooperatives were directly contributing to the objectives of Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), while remaining critical players under the newly launched NDS2.
“As we transition into NDS2, the focus will be on consolidating gains and ensuring communities are not only housed, but empowered. Housing cooperatives will remain central to this mission,” he said.
Zimbabwe National Cooperative Federation president Mr Mike Duru said the cooperative movement was committed to supporting the Government’s vision of inclusive and sustainable housing delivery.
“Housing cooperatives have proven that ordinary citizens, when organised, can meaningfully contribute to national development. Our focus is to ensure that cooperatives are well governed, compliant with the law and capable of delivering habitable settlements with proper infrastructure,” said Mr Duru.
He said the Federation would continue working closely with Government and local authorities to strengthen governance, mobilise resources and build capacity within housing cooperatives.
“We are encouraging our members to uphold transparency, hold regular AGMs and prioritise service delivery so that cooperatives remain credible and attractive vehicles for affordable housing,” he said.
Mr Duru added that with continued policy support and stakeholder collaboration, housing cooperatives would play an even bigger role in reducing the housing backlog and improving urban livelihoods.
