MPs, Councillors have their work cut out for them
Providence Moyo
Bulawayo youths expect newly elected Members of Parliament and Councillors to work hard and help improve service delivery in the city.
The officials are products of the recently held By-Elections in Pumula and Nkulumane Constituencies as well as in several wards across the city.
Ndumiso Ncube, a youthful vendor from Ward 19 said he expects the leadership to improve service delivery and run youth empowerment programs in the communities they serve.
“They must also address the issue of informal trading. Almost half the youth population depends on it for survival due to lack of employment opportunities. As informal traders we face a number of challenges including being hounded city council security and often losing our stock in the process.
Our hope is that the newly elected officials can help address these issues,” he said.
Ncube urged councillors to facilitate the establishment of safe market places for youths to sell their wares and operate small businesses which are legal and in keeping with the city’s by-laws.
Nokuthula Moyo from Pumula said she has high hopes that there will be an improvement in infrastructure development in the city. We believe infrastructure plays a major role in development so we expect the new elected councillors to adddress issues of infrastructure especially the state of roads and sewer challenges that are rampant in the city,” she said.
Bishop Moyo from Young People with Disabilities, said new leaders have to be inclusive and consider people with disabilities when implementing programs in new community development initiatives.
“People with disabilities should be prioritised and in every decision taken on behalf of the community, people with disabilities should be consulted also be consulted.This also means paying special attention on abilities of people with disability and how best they can participate in changing and developing their communities for the better,” he said.
Sichelesile Mahlangu and Kucaca Phulu of the CCC emerged victorious as MPs in Pumula and Nkulumane respectively. The by-election also produced 8 new coucillors namely Edwin Ndlovu (Ward 8), Donaldson Mabuto (Ward 9), Lilian Mlilo (Ward 12), Concillia Mlalazi (Ward 18), Christopher Dube (Ward 19), Earnest Rafamoyo (Ward 20), Tinevimbo Maposa (Ward 21) and Mpumelelo Moyo (Ward 26).
