National Chairperson, Shalvar Chikomba full’ s presentation November 2026
Topic: Innovative Governance and Service Delivery
Thank u so much for the invitation to this very important strategic planning
workshop the road map for 2026 to 2030.
My salutations to the Hon Minister of Local Government and Public Works Hon D Garwe,Deputy Minister, The permanent Secretary Dr J Bhasera.
All stakeholders and officials from the ministry.
My name is Shalvar Chikomba am the National Chairman for the Zimbabwe
National Organisation of Associations and Residents Trust ZNOART.
It is an honour for us as residents to be invited on this important strategic planning workshop in the ministry of Local Government , we are elated and we feel acknowledged, this multifaceted and inclusivity approach you have done gives us assurance that you as the regulator of Local authorities u want to hear from both sides the residents and the service providers, we thank u for that.
The Zimbabwe National Organization of Associations and Residents Trust ZNOART an Apex body representing all residents and associations in Zimbabwe, our focus is on service delivery, community development, infrastructure development, gender and social welfare, waste management and environment, health care, transparency and accountability and drugs and substance abuse. We are well structured and you can find us in all the 10 provinces of Zimbabwe, with the 11th one being our ZNOART diaspora where Zimbabweans outside the country depend on ZNOART.
For advocacy for better service back home for their loved ones. OUR Vision is to contribute to creating a safe, caring and vibrant community where all people can enjoy a positive quality of life and better service delivery.
OUR Mission is to enhance, engage and represent our diverse neighbourhoods by coordinating service delivery for the residents and facilitating community
partnerships and other services. As residents representatives we are no longer activist and advocates only, we now want to be part and bring solutions to some of the issues we are facing as residents, some of u may ask why, the answer is simple Zimbabwe is for you and me and no one loves our mother nation better than us.
Residents Challenges that Need Urgent Innovations in Local Governance:
Residents in Zimbabwe face numerous challenges under local authorities, including poor transportation systems, corruption, inadequate infrastructure, water scarcity, inefficient refuse collection, inaccurate billing, ballooned budgets, and environmental degradation.
Here are some innovative governance solutions to address these issues:
Infrastructure Development
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) with Collaborations with private entities this can improve infrastructure development , such as roads, water supply, and waste
management.
Local authorities need to invest in Modern Technology: Implement smart city
technologies to enhance service delivery and efficiency.
Corruption and Transparency
We thank the government which has put measures to Strengthen Anti-Corruption
Initiatives the formulation of anti graft bodies, ZACC, SACCO, Auditor general s
office Implement robust anti-corruption measures, such as regular audits and
transparent procurement processes.
Citizen Engagement: Encourage residents to participate in decision-making and
hold authorities accountable, that’s where we come in as residents representatives, and with the government continued support we can achieve better service delivery
for residents.
Service Delivery Improvements.
Data-Driven Decision Making
It’s time that local authorities utilize Zimbabwean statistics from government departments such as ZIMSTAT to inform policy and improve services.
You will agree with here that most of our local authorities public infrastructure in the country was built when our population was very low, now
because of rural to urban migration population in cities has increased, that’s when now u see burst sewer pipes everywhere, what it means is proper planning for the future was not done.
Environmental Protection
Wetland Conservation: Implement policies to protect wetlands and promote
sustainable land use. And a big NO TO LAND BARONS.
Ballooned council budgets in Zimbabwe are a mix of big‑ticket allocations and
systemic leaks.
Residents’ expectations of council budgets in Zimbabwe can be grouped into a few core themes:
1.Transparency and accountability – clear breakdowns of revenue sources,
expenditures and audit reports that are readily accessible to the public.
2. Service‑delivery focus – a substantial share of the budget earmarked for
reliable water, electricity, sanitation, road maintenance and health‑clinic
supplies.
3. Infrastructure investment – capital projects that address backlogs in housing,
schools, clinics and public transport, with measurable milestones and
community‑wide impact.
4. Community development and participation – dedicated funds for local
initiatives (clean‑up drives, tree‑planting, anti‑litter monitors) and
structured mechanisms for residents to propose and prioritise projects.
5. Gender and social‑welfare provisions – budget lines that support women’s
empowerment, youth programmes, and assistance for vulnerable groups.
6. Environmental sustainability – allocations for waste‑management
improvements, recycling schemes and climate‑resilient infrastructure.
7. Anti‑corruption safeguards – strict procurement procedures, multiple
sign‑off authorities and regular independent audits to curb misuse of funds.
When councils meet these Expectations, and clear Cost Build ups are shown, and
being engaged in budgeting processes, as residents we are more likely to trust local
authorities and pay for the delivered services and we can support the
implementation of development programmes.
Waste Management: Develop efficient waste collection and recycling systems.
Addressing Billing and Vendor Issues.
Accurate Billing Systems: Implement metered billing systems to prevent inaccurate charges and guestimates (guesses and estimates) so that residents won’t pay for services which are unavailable.
We understand that our economy as Zimbabwe is largely informal but we urge local authorities to designate Vendor Sites and Establish clear guidelines for vendors to operate.
Pragmatic Innovations in Zimbabwe’s Local Governance & Impact on Service
Delivery
• The coronavirus (COVID-19) of (2019 – 2021) pandemic has been a catalyst
for digital transformation in Zimbabwean local authorities, exposing the limitations of traditional governance systems and the need for innovation
and adaptation. During this time, municipalities implemented online service delivery models, such as e-government systems, to minimise face-to-face and physical interactions and ensure the continuity of government services.
• In the COVID 19 days, ZNOART introduced WhatsApp groups across the 10 provinces, and pursued localised service delivery challenges and resolutions, conducted stakeholder engagements and promoted use of virtual responses to residents concerns.
• Digital transformation enhanced service delivery, as it required minimal face- to-face and physical interactions but through digital technologies and
transformation, the full impact of COVID-19 was mitigated.
Local government implemented online service delivery models that enhanced
efficiency by providing residents with convenient and accessible services,
improving customer satisfaction and reducing the burden on municipal staff
in the midst of a pandemic and digital revolution.
The adoption of digital technologies such as online portals, mobile apps and
data analytics, can assist local governments in streamlining administrative processes, increasing transparency and enhancing citizen engagement.
Eventually, innovations should lead to electronic municipality or e-
municipality that provides dynamic database services such as payments and
debt inquiry that can be conducted online through the websites of
municipalities and even rural local authorities.
• Recent innovations and interventions in waste management and water by
Geo Pomona and Helcraw respectively. The interventions were necessitated
by acute challenges in basic service delivery of refuse and water service
delivery, thereby having a negative impact on the rights of residents
environmental rights and right to safe water as enshrined in our Constitution.
• These innovations by Geo Pomona and Helcraw will have relief to residents,
and have led to improvements in refuse collection and envisaged water loss
reduction with direct impacts to the ordinary residents of Harare who have
faced the burden of guestimates in water billings.
• Our wish as residents is to have these innovations spread in all the local
authorities across Zimbabwe with of coz supervision from the Ministry of
Local Government and US Residents.
CONCLUSION
This presentation argues that achieving effective and sustainable innovation
governance in the public service delivery necessitates a balance between driving
factors and the elimination of existing barriers. Local authorities’ relevant agencies must focus on strengthening management support, enhancing access to technology, and fostering an organizational culture that supports innovation. These efforts, supported by continuous training and efficient resource allocation, will create an environment conducive to innovation. Consequently, the public sector can better respond to the increasingly complex and dynamic needs of the largely growing urban Zimbabwean community, improve the quality of public services, and build public trust in our Local authorities and public service providers. The aim of these innovations is to enhance transparency and accountability, and to facilitate
public service delivery and residents participation in matters affecting their daily lives, leaving no one and no place behind.
We hope and pray that this invitation is the beginning of many engagements to
come, as we seek to build on the momentum in innovative initiatives, and spread across Zimbabwe’s towns and cities, as the nation seeks to address the challenges faced by ordinary residents in their daily lives.
I thank you.