The Sunday News
Rutendo Nyeve, Features Correspondent
THE era of reluctance in implementing the 2013 Constitutional provision that talks of devolution and decentralisation ended with the coming in of the New Dispensation in 2018.
The old political dispensation had chosen a centralised system of governance. Chapter 14 of the country’s Constitution states that it is desirable to ensure the preservation of national unity, prevention of all forms of disunity and secessionism, the democratic participation in Government by all citizens and communities, and that there must be devolution of power and responsibilities to lower tiers of Government.
The ushering in of the New Dispensation led by President Mnangagwa brought with it a transformation in the way things were done and for the first time in 42 years, the Independence Day celebrations have been moved from Harare to Bulawayo.
This should not be read as just a change of geography but a new normal meant to involve other areas in national programmes as they are part of the national being of Zimbabwe.
That the celebrations are going to be held in Bulawayo is part of the basis of devolution and a fulfilment of the decentralisation drive anchored on unity and inclusive development.
The major objective of devolution is to promote sustainable, representative, accountable, participatory, inclusive governance and socio-economic development. Devolution is an integral part of democracy which brings decision making to the very place where implementation of plans, policies, programmes and projects majorly takes place.
The attainment of Vision 2030 whose import is that of having an upper-middle income economy, is predicated on a firm foundation, anchored on fundamental pillars among them devolution. Devolution has continued to provide the necessary guidance to the entire government machinery in implementing development programmes and projects in a clear and efficient manner that leaves no one and no place behind.
The latest decentralisation step taken by Government of bringing the Independence Day celebrations to Bulawayo has been met with excitement from the business sector and the community at large. It is a tacit fulfilment of the mantra of ensuring Government programmes are spread across the country.
The President is also set to host a Children’s Day party on 17 April, a development that has excited young people and children in the city. Junior Parliament vice-president Menzimuhle Ncube expressed joy over the developments and efforts made to ensure children’s participation on national programmes is increased.
“As a young person from Bulawayo I think the idea of Independence Day celebrations being held in Bulawayo shows just how much the systems in our country are trying to be inclusive but further than that, the continuous inclusion of children within political spaces is something that we celebrate.
The past years have focused on increasing the participation of children and that is something that we are very happy about,” said Ncube, who is a learner at St Columbu’s in Bulawayo.
He said it was important that the highest office in the country comes down to the children to hear out their concerns, adding that it gives the children the latitude to express themselves as well as get the necessary inspiration from the political leadership of the country.
“We would only see the President on national television in Harare with a few selected kids. Now I think its our turn this year as well. We are also going to see him addressing the nation while in Bulawayo which I think is very important.
We are not going to hear the Minister of State for Devolution and Provincial Affairs reading the President’s speech.
It’s a new way of doing things which brings inclusivity and shames those among people who are bent on dividing the country,” said Buhlebenkosi Sibanda, a local pupil.
She said the New Dispensation has taken some modest steps that are an indication of progress — particularly on the decentralisation and devolution front. This has seen the rolling out of Government institutional services across the country while communities that were previously detached from the political leadership of the country by way of being far from Harare also have the chance to interact with the political offices.
