. . . As 9 CCC councilors submit CVs for the top post
Brighton Chiseva
MASVINGO – Jostling for the position of Masvingo City Mayor has begun with nine out of 10 councilors elected through the ballot during the August 23 harmonized elections are said to be vying for the top post.
All the nine are from main opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) and have since submitted their resumes to the party headquarters for consideration.
Those who submitted their resumes are Sabina Chikwangwani (Ward 1), Shantiel Chiwara (Ward 2), Maxwell Madhuna (Ward 3), Alec Tabee (Ward 4), Daniel Mberikunashe (Ward 5), Wilstaff Sitemere (Ward 6), Tafara Masimba (Ward 7), Richard Musekiwa (Ward 8) and Bernard Muchokwa (Ward 9).
TellZim news analyzed these councilors and realized they all possess different qualities, strengths and weaknesses which may work to their advantage, or against in as far as landing the mayoral position is concerned.
Chikwangwani and Chiwara may sail through if the gender card comes to play. These are two greenhorns who have very little experience not only in politics but even working experience. It will be a total disservice to the residents of Masvingo Urban if CCC chooses one of these two to be at the helm for the next five years.
Of course Chiwara has better education qualifications as she is studying for a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), but her record shows that she is very inexperienced politically. In terms of work experience, she worked as a Customer Service Officer at Steward Bank and is now a bank teller at POSB. It is very important to always consider gender in order to empower women and youths but experience should be considered as well.
Sources in CCC party however, told TellZim News that Chiwara has very strong connections at party headquarters and her backers are already working on convincing their president Nelson Chamisa to name her as the party’s preferred candidate for the mayoral position.
“There was chaos in Ward 2’s CCC WhatsApp group when a member announced that Shantiel will be the next mayor for Masvingo City as residents condemned the decision saying she was inexperienced to lead the city. However, people seemed to have been whipped into line and they are now saying if she is the one seconded by the party they will accept her,” said one CCC member from Ward 2.
The Chiwaras seem to have lucky charm or probably they have strong connections in the opposition party because Shantiel’s father once landed a deputy mayor position during 2013-2018 term despite him being the least educated then. Therefore, it is not surprising if Shantiel is seconded by the party, the same manner she became the candidate for the Ward under controversial circumstances. If CCC decides to consider gender balancing then Chikwangwani or Chiwara should battle it out for the deputy mayor position.
Madhuna might have submitted his resume for mere formality because he lacks what it takes to lead the city notwithstanding that he is one of the most loyal opposition members. Madhuna held several positions in MDC led by the late Morgan Tsvangirai before joining CCC during its inception.
Tabe is said to be positioning himself for the top post and sources from CCC said he is also lobbying through some influential national members he is related to. He was in the previous council having won the ticket through the March 26, 2022 by-elections. In terms of educational qualifications, Tabe has a National certificate and a National Diploma in Human Resource Management. He also has a degree in transport and logistics from GZU and several awards. Tabe was also the Provincial Administrator of the MDC-T party during the inclusive government. He has experience in leadership but it is up to the party to then decide.
Mberikunashe is the most sober councilor and it won’t be surprising if his party second him to become the next mayor. His educational qualifications are not impressing as he only has O’ Level passes and Class 1 welding certificate. But in terms of composure and humility, Mberikunashe is the best. Having served two terms in council, Mberikunashe might have the requisite experience and good working relations with the management which might make him the most suitable for the job. His biggest undoing is that it is said he is related to Chamisa and many people may overlook his qualities and allege nepotism.
Ward 6’s Sitemere is another suitable candidate for the mayoral position. Sitemere is known for hardworking during his time as the MDC-T Masvingo provincial chairperson. He worked hard for the party and is well experienced. It will not be surprising if CCC chooses him to be the next mayor of Masvingo. Despite him being generally a short tempered guy, he is very much experienced.
Masimba has been a foot soldier for the party but generally a shy or probably a media-shy man who is hardly visible. Even during campaigns, he mostly used the door to door campaign. He is good as a councilor and giving him the top position might expose him.
Just like Mberikunashe, ward 8 councilor Musekiwa has been in council since 2013 for ward 7 and was only moved to ward 8 because of delimitation. He is quite experienced and is a suitable candidate for the position of mayor. In terms of academics, Musekiwa has a certificate in building and welding and is a business man with a number of businesses in Masvingo.
In ward 9, Muchokwa is one of the new councilors with educational qualifications which are suitable for a mayor. He has a Master’s degree in Business Management, and he is another suitable candidate.
In ward 10, Zanu PF’s Sengerayi Manyanga has ambitions but his undoing is that he is alone and would not have enough votes. Manyanga was one of the most vocal councilors in the previous term, influencing a number of council projects.
Masvingo United Residents and Rate Payers Alliance (MURRA) board Chairperson Thomas Mbetu said the mayor should be a mature person with a sober mind and have experience of how council operates.
“We need a mature person for the position of Mayor. The person should be someone who has experience in council operations and has a sober mind who doesn’t use emotions because there are complex issues at council which doesn’t need a person who is emotional,” said Mbetu.
The outgoing Mayor Collen Maboke said the person who will replace him should be someone who is qualified in terms of academics saying the task ahead requires one to attend national and international meetings which will need someone who is eloquent.
“The mayor should be someone who is better placed in terms of academia; the post requires one to attend high profile meetings both national and international so the mayor should be up to the task to present issues as well as grasping concepts,” said Maboke.
He also said the mayor should be someone who is selfless and ready to sacrifice time and resources as well as having a good social standing.
“To be a mayor one should be selfless and ready to sacrifice. Sometimes you are woken at night to attend to something. Also there is no money as many anticipate, it’s a real sacrifice that one has to make,” said Maboke.
Centre for Gender and Community Development (CGCDZ) Programs Officer Chidaushe Mudadi said it was time for Masvingo to have a female mayor saying one of the councilors has all what it takes considering that she represents youth and women who constitute the bigger population.
“I think we now need a female mayor, of the elected councilors we have a young lady who is educated. She represents women and youths who constitute a bigger number of the population,” said Mudadi.
