Online Reporter
The Herald, 25 August 1988
NEW Harare mayor, Councillor Jabulani Thembani, was officially installed at Town House yesterday. He promised residents more housing, better health services and a sound road, sewerage and water network.
Councillor Elaine Raftopoulos, who represents Arcadia and the south-east suburbs, made history as the first woman after independence to be installed as deputy mayor at the same occasion.
Cde Thembani, who is councillor for Marimba Park and Westwood, said in his valedictory address that during his mayoral year he proposed to improve services for the people and hoped the government would help him.
“My council is trying very hard to maintain the pace of development in this city as we have always done before. “And to this end, we have allocated over $56 million during this mayoral year for the improvement of health services, the acquisition of land for Budiriro phases 2 to 5, the construction of flats, halls and pre-schools and reconstruction and extension of the existing infrastructure,” he said.
Although the council was working hard to provide and allocate serviced stands, the housing backlog continued to grow at an “astronomical pace”. At the end of the last mayoral year, the housing waiting list stood at more than 42 000 applications, an Increase of about 33,7 percent over the previous year.
“It is my firm conviction that negotiations with the private sector to provide low- cost housing for their employees, should be strengthened even further,” said Cir Thembani.
The provision of adequate health services had been tackled in Kuwadzana, Glen Norah and Mabelreign and it was still a council plan to achieve the goal of health for all by the year 2000. On education, the mayor said 21 council-run schools had been opened and it was hoped that more grants from the Government would expand this sector.
Lessons for today
- Upon taking office, Mayor Jabulani Thembani prioritised housing, health services, roads, water, and sewerage systems. The housing waiting list of more than 42,000 applicants had reached a higher increase. He recognised that despite efforts to provide serviced stands, demand for housing continued to increase.
- The council invested in improving health services in areas such as Kuwadzana, Glen Norah, and Mabelreign. The opening of 21 council-run schools demonstrated the importance of expanding educational opportunities.
- Councillor Elaine Raftopoulos became the first woman after independence to be installed as deputy mayor. Inclusive leadership strengthens institutions and demonstrates the importance of equal opportunities for women in public service.
- Good local governance is built on responsive leadership, investment in infrastructure and social services, and partnerships that improve the quality of life for citizens. The challenges discussed in 1988, especially housing, healthcare, education, and urban growth, remain some of the most important issues facing cities today.
