Suburban
In about two months’ time, Harare residents will have an opportunity to elect representatives of their choice in by-elections to fill vacant council and parliamentary seats on March 26, 2022.
This is a chance for ratepayers to reflect and elect people of substance who will help drag the City of Harare out of the current mess it finds itself trapped in. We appeal to residents not to let the opportunity slip but to grab it and let their voice heard about the calibre of people they want at the helm of their local authority. In the northern suburbs Wards 6 (Avenues and central business district),7 (Avondale) ,8 (Highlands), 16 (Mabelreign) and 41 (Marlborough) have to councillors with the Harare Central parliamentary seat also vacant.
Some residents of the northern suburbs have in the past negated their civic duty to participate in elections but we believe otherwise because it is important to be heard and make your choice count.
You cannot leave the decision to determine your future to other people regardless of your station in life. Citizens must use their voice to determine who represents them, their interests, businesses and welfare.
There is every need for citizens to participate in the electoral processes of their country and not abdicate the duty to others. Participation is the first calling and the second is holding accountable the elected representatives. You must demand to know what representation the councillor or Member of Parliament is making on your behalf. It is you right and national duty.
If every citizen participates in electoral processes of their country, it even helps with the kind of candidates that will put their names forward for nomination to seek political office.
An informed and empowered citizenry usually attracts candidates of the same ilk. But if you fold your hands thinking that “if there is no power I will use a generator and if there is no water I will buy from bulk water suppliers or sink a borehole”, it does not help matters.
While you can be able to afford the alternatives now, you never know things might take a rough about turn in future and you will need public utilities to supply you these services at cheaper prices. What prompted us to make an issue with residents or prospective voters who sit on the fence are the discussions that have been dominating residents’ platforms as ratepayers sought to understand the qualifications needed for one to run for the office of councillor.
While by law anybody can be a councillor but need to check on the qualities and competencies of the people we intend to vote into office. Councils need lawyers, accountants, engineers and even business people who might not necessarily be highly qualified academically but have developed a particular skills set that can help council affairs.
Residents must critically scrutinise the aspiring candidates to avoid lumping themselves with mediocrity.
A few years ago former Harare mayor Muchadeyi Masunda complained that the councillors he was leading were bereft of skills required to have sound deliberations in council meetings. His successor Mr Ben Manyenyeni also made similar observations.
