Shandira / Sebenzela - Bulawayo, Manicaland and Kadoma
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(Notes: What is Shandira / Sebenzela?)
The Sebenzela iMagwegwe Community Action Team (CAT), under the Zimbabwe Development Democracy Trust (ZDDT) banner, took part in a clean up at their community Housing Office on 8 July 2009.
Magwegwe (Ward 18) Councillor Mr. Benjamin Sigwaze Ndlovu and Mr. Lovemore Hlomani, the Chairman for the Magwegwe CAT and Treasurer for the Residents Association, successfully organised and orchestrated the clean up.
From overgrown grass to scattered litter, the CAT and a group of at least 50 volunteers, worked tirelessly throughout the day. Both woman and men, young and old, labored side by side in an effort to clean up the chosen site.
Councillor Benjamin Ndlovu’s fervor and dedication is infectious.
He has an additional three projects already lined up. All those proposed are highly visible and would allow Councillor Ndlovu and his team the exposure that they need to further motivate the rest of the community.
In closing, he expressed his gratitude to ZDDT for the tool kit that had been donated and acknowledged the wonderful difference such an acquisition has already made to Magwegwe.
The Shandira Manicaland Program
The Shandira Manicaland Program is off to a great start with many communities taking ownership of their challenges. Various clean ups, within Harare itself, were held in May such as the Harare Grounds Recreational Area and the Parirenyatwa Hospital. Introductory meetings were held in June with another 6 action teams being established.
Shandira Kadoma
Other areas within the North have also been highly active over this period. Shandira Kadoma, which is headed by John Kinnaird, got off the ground quite quickly and has been well received. They have an office in the Kadoma Show Grounds which has been cleaned and is now fully functional.
Various projects have commenced and they are in the process of organising social competitions which include tug-of-war, football and netball. There are currently 15 wards actively engaged in Kadoma with 2 rural wards expressing keen interest. Gerry Whitehead, Shandira Chiredzi, has started the initial phase with the distribution of tool kits in his area. An introductory session was held in Masvingo and Mutare in June, which was headed by the Harare Shandira Team.
This was well received by the group of Councillors in attendance. They will be creating Community Action Teams and formulating their plans based on the Shandira/Sebenzela concept. Tool kits were delivered to the Masvingo Councillors to assist the teams once established. Impressive work has already been started in the Mutare area which was initiated by Brian James the Mayor. Throughout Zimbabwe, there is real excitement about the Shandira/Sebenzela Community programme which has become a ‘household’ name!