By Prince Chese/Rex Mphisa
LOCAL authorities should uplift the lives of communities where they operate through proper supervision and implementation of developmental projects.
This is easier to achieve by maintaining good relationships and keeping in constant touch with beneficiary communities and stakeholders, newly appointed chief executive officer of thE Beitbridge Rural District Council Kilibone Mbedzi said.
In he acceptance speech, Mbedzi said she was excited to return and work with some people familiar to her and new faces with who she expected to learn from as the work towards the upliftment of Beitbridge District.
Mbedzi, a former District Administrator at Beitbridge and Gwanda, was appointed chief executive of the Beitbridge Rural District Council last week.
“Thank you for the opportunity to work in your local authority,” she said. “My vision is to see improved standards of living in our rural areas by providing sustainable social and economic services.”
She said she will take her role to see the local authority alignm with national frameworks such as Vision 2030, National Development Strategy 1 and 2, and government directives, which guide all local authority operations.
Mbedzi spoke on the importance of fostering positive relationships within and outside the council structure, including with the community, government, investors, and other stakeholders for the ultimate goal of an upper middle class economy by 2030.
“Good relations promote critical thinking and expose us to practical ideas that can transform the district,” she said.
Beitbridge, she said, was awash with natural resources that should be used to better the lives of its communities.
“Beitbridge is rich in natural resources,” she noted. “We must capitalise on them to expand our revenue base and improve lives of the communities through good service delivery.”
She emphasised the need for coordinated approaches saying interdepartmental relationships ensure the smooth running of functions of local authorities.
Mbedzi also emphasized the importance of accountability in implementing development projects.
“I urge the monitoring and supervision of projects to ensure they are completed and commissioned on time. This will help avoid losses and prevent shortcuts. The monitoring and evaluation committees must play a critical role in this process,” she added.
Her appointment has been widely welcomed by councillors, who expressed confidence that her leadership would strengthen service delivery and accelerate rural development.
Prior to her appointment Mbedzi, a seasoned Administrator had taken up a human resources post with Raubex, builders who undertook the modernisation of Beitbridge Border Post.
Her acceptance was witnessed by Beitbridge District Development Coordinator Sikhangezile Mafu Moyo who led a team of civil servants operating in Beitbridge, Councillor Oscar Chiromo and Beitbridge Rural Councillors and Chief Tshitaudze born David Mbedzi.