ZDDT profile: Moses Dube, a community leader in the making

Written by Lewis Jones, ZDDT Field Correspondent Monday, 01 August 2011 12:18

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe - At fifty nine and the father of three, Moses Dube has had many varying experiences in his neighbourhood, which comprises of the low Income Township of Mpopoma, Ward Nine, eight kilometres west of the City Centre.

Mr. Dube recently paid a visit to the Trust’s office in Suburbs, and shared some very valuable information on how his relationship with ZDDT has broadened his mind in aspects concerning leadership qualities. Below may be found excerpts from the interview held between Field Correspondent Lewis Jones (LJ) and Moses Dube (MD).

LJ. Throughout the years, you have seen much happening in this neighbourhood, where organisations have come with development projects aimed at improving the lives of residents. How have these interventions generally impacted on the well-being of the local community?

MD. Several well meaning organisations have come here and set up projects to assist the people in this area. An example is the nutritional gardens and fresh-water borehole established. I believe that in spite of these benefits, there has been a very essential omission, which is the absence of the aspect of
ownership.

LJ. What do you mean by this?

MD. Well the way I see it is that if the community is not actively involved in the implementation of a project, the sense of ownership will be lacking, with the result that residents will show less interest in maintaining or safeguarding it.

LJ. Does ZDDT’s SEBENZELA / Work for … Programme fall within this category?

MD. The SEBENZELA / Work for … Programme is unique in the sense that initiatives, which fall within its framework, are always implemented through elected local Councillors, together with their Community Action Teams (C.A.T.s), who encourage the active participation of residents.

LJ. C.A.T structures are an inspiration of ZDDT and you chair this structure in Ward Nine. Have you benefited in anyway because of this?

MD. Benefits in this regard have been numerous, chief of which, is the resulting relationship of trust between the Councillor, residents and me. As Chairman, I am entrusted to attend several important seminars, workshops or meetings which, in the long run, have broadened my mind in matters that would, under different circumstances, have not been available to me.

LJ. Could you give some examples?

MD. I was trained by the National Aids Council of Zimbabwe to be a Community based Facilitator. Similar training is conducted in Tanzania, Uganda and South Africa. I see this as an important development for anyone fortunate enough to be chosen to participate. Even though the work involved is conducted on
a voluntary basis, it is very rewarding and there is the added bonus of having better opportunities in securing formal employment.

LJ. How do you intend to put to use these most valuable skills you have gained?

MD. I see my first priority as being able to effectively serve the community. The neighbourhood in which I live is one that is seriously disadvantaged. I would find it more gratifying than anything else, just to be able to utilise the skills I’ve gained, in order to make a difference in the lives of fellow residents.