Gwanda Junior Council ready to drive community development
Gwanda Junior Council ready to drive community development
Online Reporter
ChronicleJune 11, 2025
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
THE Gwanda Municipality’s junior council is strategically positioning itself as a key driver of community development, with a clear focus on empowering young people to take a leading role in the nation’s progress. This initiative follows a comprehensive two-day induction programme, held on Sunday and Monday, which equipped 13 junior councillors with essential knowledge and skills for public service.The local authority, which established its junior council in 2014, has now formed a seven-member executive team, with Mr Ben Sibanda of Gwanda High School selected as the junior mayor. Miss Ruth Smith, a Form Three pupil at Gwanda Government High School, will serve as his deputy. Mr Junior Nyathi, a Form Two pupil at Gwanda High School, was appointed town clerk, and Miss Sharmaine Magazini was named chamber secretary.“I feel honoured to have been selected as the mayor for the junior council. The process was challenging, as we had prepared speeches but were instead given idioms to present on. This forced me to think on my feet. From today’s exercise, I learnt that as a leader, I must be flexible and think critically and analytically. From here, it’s now time to serve the people. I have a passion for development and a strong desire to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s progress. I’ve gained a great deal from this two-day induction programme and now have a clearer understanding of council operations and my responsibilities as mayor,” said the junior mayor.Miss Smith, the newly appointed deputy mayor, expressed her desire to see greater youth involvement in development. She emphasised that young people are tomorrow’s leaders and must set a strong developmental foundation today to benefit in the future. She also highlighted her commitment to empowering the girl child.Mr Nyathi, the new town clerk, said the induction had thoroughly prepared them for their roles.“I’m glad we’ve undergone this induction because I now have a better understanding of my responsibilities as a junior councillor. As I take on the role of town clerk, I feel more informed and ready to serve. I look forward to working alongside senior councillors, as there is much I can learn from them to enhance my leadership skills.“As youth, we are the leaders of tomorrow, and I’m grateful we are being equipped at an early age so that we are prepared when our time comes,” he said.Speaking during the induction ceremony, Gwanda Mayor Alderman Thulani Moyo urged the junior councillors to work towards improved service delivery in their communities. He encouraged them to play a significant role as local authorities implement development strategies in response to President Mnangagwa’s call to action.Alderman Moyo also revealed that the municipality has allocated a budget to support the junior councillors in their development as future leaders.In an interview, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works Youth Desk national co-ordinator, Mr Darlington Mupfupi, emphasised the importance of training junior councillors, noting that they are the leaders of tomorrow.“As Government, under the guidance of His Excellency President Mnangagwa, we are on a transformative journey to rebuild our economy. As a Ministry, we recognise the vital role that youths play in this effort. We have approximately 2,000 wards across the country, all of which now have junior councillors. We are travelling across the country, capacitating these junior councillors and helping them establish their executive teams. We’ve introduced a new selection method, where office bearers are chosen not based on popularity but on their ability to think critically. They are role models and must represent their communities with distinction,” he said.
@Chronicle