By Regis Chingawo
The Zimbabwe National Organisation of Associations and Residents Trust (ZNOART) has launched a nationwide mobilisation programme targeting 200 000 members by December 2026 as it seeks to strengthen residents’ participation in community development and service delivery advocacy.
ZNOART National Chairman Shalvar Chikomba said the mobilisation drive would utilise the organisation’s structures at national, provincial, district and ward levels to reach residents across Zimbabwe.
“Mobilisation is the responsibility of every ZNOART member and leader. We must use our organisational structures to reach residents in every community, ward, district and province across Zimbabwe,” Chikomba said.
He said residents had a right to advocate for quality, reliable and sustainable service delivery, adding that the organisation would continue to place residents at the centre of development.
ZNOART’s key areas of focus include waste and sewer management, reliable water availability, environmental protection, energy and electricity, land allocation and housing, roads and infrastructure development, community development, healthcare, transparency and accountability, gender and social welfare, as well as drug and substance-abuse prevention.
Chikomba said every province, district and ward had a role to play in achieving the organisation’s membership target.
“We call upon ZNOART leadership and members across all provinces to intensify mobilisation and bring more residents into the organisation. Every member has a role to play and every leader must contribute ideas,” he said.
The organisation currently has structures in Harare, Bulawayo, Midlands, Manicaland, Masvingo, Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West and the diaspora.
Chikomba said ZNOART was also seeking volunteers to serve as Ward-Based Area Coordinators in their respective communities.
“We encourage residents who are passionate about service delivery, community development and representing residents’ interests to join the ZNOART mobilisation programme,” he said.
ZNOART is an apex body representing residents and residents’ associations across Zimbabwe, with its broader focus covering service delivery, community development, infrastructure development, environmental protection and waste management, healthcare, transparency and accountability, gender and social welfare, and drug and substance-abuse prevention.
The organisation urged residents, residents’ associations, community groups and other stakeholders to participate in its mobilisation programme as it works towards its December 2026 membership target.