Ivan Zhakata Suburban Reporter
Mandara residents and ratepayers met two weeks ago and formed the Mandara Residents and Ratepayers Association (MRRA) to champion service delivery in the suburb.
The meeting took place on Saturday August 3, 2024 at Bliss Gardens along Pringle Road in the suburb where residents also appointed the inaugural executive committee for the MRRA.
Mr Mike Musandu is the chairperson of the newly formed MRRA with Ms Noma Nkomani deputising him as the vice chairperson, Mr Isau Biza – the treasurer, Mr Bothwell Nyajeka – vice treasurer, Ms Christine Mangena – secretary and Ms Bridget Zimunya – vice secretary.
Other committee members include Mr Francis Nyamutsamba, Dr Collins Chikomba, Mr Misheck Mawema, Mr David McAllister, Ms Denise Schultz and Mr Wonder Chenjerai.
In an interview with Suburban this week, Mr Musandu said he was humbled to be appointed the chairperson of MRRA and will work tirelessly to transform the suburb.
“I do have plans for Mandara and, in fact, I had already started community work before the establishment of the association,” he said.
“I would like to seek consensus with the rest of the committee before I outline the plans.
“One thing for sure is that the current Mandara is not the Mandara I knew in 1997 when I moved in, in terms of service delivery and the general outlook.
“Please also note that we are in the process of finalising the constitution after amendments at the meeting.”
Borrowdale Residents and Ratepayers Association (BBRA) chairperson Mr Robert Mutyasira who spoke at the meeting to constitute MRRA said a residents’ association must define its destination.
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“The leaders and residents must billboard their objectives clearly and pursue them relentlessly,” he said.
“Knowing and understanding your purpose as an association will determine your effectiveness. The association must choose the right partners for this journey and do not expect everyone to come on board. Value those who are there from the beginning and work with them as the critical mass and core elements of the journey.
“Match up to the responsibilities of the task. Roles of residents’ representation are voluntary and will demand, from you, time and resources.
“Manage your time well and be well structured, be fearless and go all the way in fighting for the rights of residents,” said Mr Mutyasira.
This year alone the BRRA, Harare’s foremost residents’ body, has been invited to the launch of two sister residents’ associations, the Marlborough Residents and Ratepayers Association and the Mandara Residents and Ratepayers Association.
Mandara residents believe their newly formed association will give more weight to their efforts to demand for service delivery as they been doing some lobbying to the authorities but without a formally constituted residents’ association.
According to the draft constitution, the MRRA will represent residents and ratepayers of Mandara and shall be headquartered in the suburb. The MRRA can be affiliated to other residents’ associations.
The MRRA will be a body corporate and have the power to institute or to defend any legal action, when necessary and when required to do so by the executive committee and shall be capable of suing or to be sued in its own name.
