BRRA hailed for driving development

Source: BRRA hailed for driving development – herald

Peter Tanyanyiwa

Herald Correspondent

HARARE East legislator Cde Kiven Mutimbanyoka has commended the Borrowdale Residents and Ratepayers Association (BRRA) for spearheading community-driven development initiatives in Ward 18.

Addressing the BRRA annual general meeting (AGM) held on Tuesday, Cde Mutimbanyoka, who is also the Deputy Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, said the association’s work was a model of citizen participation and collaboration with authorities.

“It is initiatives like these that promote community empowerment, strengthen local enterprise and foster active citizen participation in development processes,” he said.

He added that the BRRA’s partnership with the City of Harare had produced “tangible results”, citing the renovation of the Borrowdale clinic, establishment of a waste separation centre and construction of a bus terminal as evidence of a “forward-thinking and organised community”.

“These efforts speak to a community that is committed to improving the livelihoods of its residents,” he said. “Development is most effective when it is inclusive, participatory and anchored in shared responsibility.”

Mutimbanyoka said organised and environmentally conscious communities were “powerful drivers of national progress” and aligned with Government’s Vision 2030 agenda of attaining an upper-middle-income economy.

The AGM also heard that Ward 18 continues to position itself as a key economic hub within the city, with growing investment and expanding infrastructure projects.

BRRA chairperson Robert Mutyasira said the association would intensify engagement with authorities to improve service delivery and ensure that revenue generated within the ward benefits local development.

“We are looking forward to fully benefiting from the defined roles of our political leaders through robust engagement and sustained demands for improved service delivery,” he said.

Mutyasira noted that community-led projects completed in recent years included the refurbishment of the local clinic, waste management initiatives and commuter infrastructure, while plans were underway to develop recreational facilities in the ward.

Ward 18 councillor Rufaro Matsika highlighted progress made by the City of Harare, including the recommissioning of the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to improve revenue collection and accountability.

“The reinstatement of the ERP system is a huge achievement that will enhance corporate governance and curb leakages,” she said.

Matsika also revealed that the long-awaited rehabilitation of the Borrowdale District Office, commonly known as the “Round House”, had finally commenced in February this year after years of delays.

“This restoration of dignity to our workers and residents is one of the biggest milestones for Ward 18,” she said.

Veteran resident and BRRA member Jo Ann Ross, who has served the association for over two decades, welcomed the development.

“It is encouraging to finally see progress on the Round House after years of waiting. This is the kind of delivery residents expect,” she said.

Guest speaker and Old Alex Park Residents Association chairperson Bev Arora urged residents to remain proactive in shaping their communities.

“Stop waiting for rescue to arrive. It is not coming. When communities take ownership, they transform complaints into action and action into visible progress,” she said.

Arora emphasised the importance of unity and accountability, noting that collective action was key to achieving sustainable development.

“Together, we can restore pride in our communities and create an environment where future generations can thrive,” she said.

The AGM also underscored ongoing challenges, including water supply constraints, road deterioration and environmental pressures such as wetland encroachment, with residents calling for stronger collaboration with authorities.

Despite the challenges, Mutimbanyoka said the Ward 18 model demonstrated that “with teamwork and shared vision, communities can build and develop Zimbabwe from the ground up.”