WADCO members undergo capacity-building training in Beitbridge

WADCO members from Beitbridge undergoing capacity-building training

Beitbridge Rural District Council (BBRDC), in partnership with the District Development Coordinator’s office and development stakeholders, is rolling out a ward-based capacity-building programme to strengthen Ward Development Committees (WADCOs) across the district.

The training, running from 13 to 31 July 2026, targets councillors, village heads, school heads, SDC chairpersons, extension officers, health officials, CAMPFIRE representatives, women’s affairs coordinators and other community leaders. About 30 participants are expected at each of the district’s 15 ward centres.

So far, the turnout has exceeded projections. Ward 1 recorded 60 participants while Ward 2 had 80.
BBRDC Chief Executive Officer Mrs Kilibone Mbedzi said the programme was designed at the start of the year after the council identified WADCOs as key drivers of ward-level development.

“We realised that WADCO members are the engine of development in their wards,” said Mrs Mbedzi.
“We then engaged stakeholders, business people, commercial farmers and development partners. We are grateful that World Vision, local businesses, and commercial farmers came on board to fund the training.”

She said the training seeks to equip community leaders with knowledge of their roles and responsibilities under the Traditional Leaders Act, particularly Section 12, and to strengthen coordination among local governance structures.

She said they are covering topics that include community leadership, resource mobilisation, land allocation procedures, natural resource management, veld fire awareness, local governance and development planning.

Mrs Mbedzi said participants are also being trained on procedures for allocating homesteads, commercial stands and agricultural land.

In addition, she said facilitators are emphasising that basic sanitation facilities must be in place before new developments are approved.

“We want communities to understand how to mobilise resources for their own development and to ensure that youths, women and persons with disabilities are fully included.

“Our approach is centred on leaving no one behind,” she said.
Environmental conservation is another priority due to rising cases of indiscriminate tree cutting for firewood.

“Communities are the custodians of natural resources. If they fail to protect them, we risk turning our areas into deserts,” she said.

The programme, she said, was also addressing information gaps between council and residents.
The official said communities are being educated on the need to register homesteads and properties to improve the council’s database.

Accurate data on water, sanitation, and other services will help the local authority plan better and attract development funding.
Participants are further being sensitised on paying development levies, lease fees and business licences in line with the Constitution of Zimbabwe and the Rural District Councils Act.

“Seventy percent of development levy collections are channelled back to communities for local projects. Twenty percent goes to village heads’ commissions and 10 percent is retained by council for administration,” said Mrs Mbedzi.

She also highlighted that the training covers Minimum Service Delivery Standards under Statutory Instrument 170, which guide local authorities in improving services and meeting Vision 2030 targets.

Mrs Mbedzi added that the initiative will enhance community participation, strengthen governance structures and accelerate local development across Beitbridge District.

With 15 wards set to complete the programme by month-end, BBRDC expects WADCOs to play a more active role in planning, resource mobilisation and monitoring of projects in their communities.