馃嚳馃嚰ZimbabweSouthern Africa
Harare residents criticize city council performance contracts
via NewsDay Zimbabwe5 min read
Harare residents have expressed strong disapproval of the performance contracts signed by city council department heads and senior managers, including acting town clerk Phakamile Mabhena Moyo. Residents argue that these contracts are ineffective in addressing persistent service delivery failures and that many officials at Town House do not merit their positions. Harare Residents Trust director Precious Shumba stated that only the director of health, Prosper Chonzi, deserves a renewed contract, citing the deterioration of service delivery across other departments due to what he described as incompetent and arrogant officials. Shumba specifically criticized the water and housing departments for unprofessionalism, negative attitudes, and officials allegedly working with land barons. In response, councillor Jacob Mafume dismissed the allegations against him, stating that most senior staff were employed before his tenure as mayor and defended the city's recruitment process as rigorous, involving multiple interviews and security vetting.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by NewsDay Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe is sending its largest-ever delegation to the Education Africa International Marimba & Steelpan Festival, with ten schools and groups participating. The festival, hosted at St Dominic's Catholic School for Girls in Boksburg, South Africa, from July 24-26, will gather over 2,300 young musicians from four African countries. Zimbabwean participants include Chiremba Primary School, Charles Wraith Primary, Eland Oak School, Giamari Zimbabwe Rimbatainment, Hillcrest College, Ifalethu Arts Centre, Tynwald Primary School, Windview Primary School, and Brookside International School. Education Africa founder James Urdang highlighted that the festival is more than a competition; it is a platform for developing talent, building confidence, celebrating cultural diversity, and fostering understanding and friendships through music. The event also serves as a fundraiser for Education Africa's Marimba Programme, which provides music education access to young people.
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