Sebenzela: August a busy month in Bulawayo

Monday, 21 September 2009 15:29

The Shandira / Sebenzela programme was launched in the Luveve ward of Bulawayo, while the Makokoba ward held a large cleanup excercise.
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Sebenzela iLuveve

Zimbabwe Development Democracy Trust (ZDDT) National Development Officer, Simon Spooner, held an introductory meeting with Councillor Israel Mabaleka and his Community Action Team (CAT), on the 16th of July 2009.

Various topics were discussed such as ‘Community Mapping’, which provides the local people the opportunity to review the human and material resources available to the CAT in rebuilding their community. It also highlights the deficiencies, particularly the crisis groups within the population.

'Information Packs' were next on the agenda, and these are distributed during training.  

They consist of a 'Project Assessment Sheet', 'Post Project Review', 'Farming Techniques', ‘Functions of a Councillor, ‘Work Team Performance Scoring’ and a Google earth map of the ward.  The idea is to assist the CAT in establishing which projects are most crucial and cost effective in the initial phase.  With this structure in place ZDDT is able to support the Councillor and his CAT with guidance and material and information support.

Once communities are seen to be actively 'restoring' their environment, it sends a positive message to those that wish to support the ‘self-help’ initiatives.

The meeting concluded on a celebratory note.

Sebenzela action in Makokoba

Makokoba (Ward 7) Councillor, Mr. James Sithole, and his Sebenzela iMakokoba Action Team organised and participated in a recent clean up.

This time activity centered on Mukambo market, where crowds gather on a daily basis to trade. No rubbish bins or litter bags are currently available to the community, hence Mukambo market has become the central ’litter’ depository for the inhabitants of ward 7.
The rubbish heap that literally covers the street, from one end to the other, consists of various types of waste from old tyres, broken kitchen utensils, paper and iron fragments, rubble and general household trash.

The enormous task ahead did not deter this highly motivated Councillor and his CAT.  Joining the swelling ranks, the community eagerly assisted in restoring the busy market to the standard of days gone by. The entire ‘cleanup’ took the CAT and volunteers 3 days.  From an invisible market street, covered in debris, to a spotless bazaar of which the community  could once again be proud.

ZDDT provided tools, which has greatly enhanced the CAT’ capacity.  Sustainability is the key and it is essential that through the principle of ownership, the local people will continue to maintain a clean environment. Lack of resources has recently crippled the Bulawayo City Council and they have been unable to maintain the usual refuse removal system as well as the supply of bins.  Through the facilitation of further funding, ZDDT aims to assist the City Council in rebuilding their capacity to once again providing a high standard of service delivery.

On a positive note, Councillor Sithole said, “Kumele sizigqaje ngokusebenzela iMakokoba yethu (we must be proud to work for our Makokoba)”!  We agree wholeheartedly!