Nyirongo Promises Sustainable Development

By Pretty Chavango

Harare – Aspiring councillor for Ward 7 in Avondale, Duduzile Nyirongo, campaigning under the newly formed People’s Own Voice (POVO) coalition, says she wants to bring about inclusive, transparent and accountable leadership that will champion sustainable development.

The 35-year-old candidate says she aims to bring about change in her area by adequately using City of Harare Council funds to improve service delivery which she says will prompt people to pay rates.

The aspiring councillor who is a Chartered Accountant by profession says issues affecting residents in her area include dilapidated clinics, erratic water supply, street lighting and bad roads. She says these are issues she wishes to address using the 10 percent council retention funds.

“I will put pressure on the relevant authorities, and adequately use resources that council gives. The revenue is being collected and if there is proper service delivery people will start paying rates and meaningful change can be realised as the budget by city council is actually adequate,” she said.

According to Nyirongo her decision to stand as an independent candidate came after existing political parties could not make room for her and other young women.

“Existing political parties have no space for me, I have spoken to people in the MDC and they could not make room for me. Being part of POVO provides me with a shoulder to lean on. I have people helping me when I have ideas, people who can interrogate my ideas. I have people whom I can meet with, talk to and we can share ideas and resources,” she said of her links to POVO.

Nyirongo says the current councillor in her area is not accessible and does not engage with residents leaving her room to maximise on that gap. She says she will over the remaining few months before elections do a door-to-door campaign and familiarise herself with voters in her Ward.