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Oswell Moyo Chronicle Reporter
MDC-T Bulawayo councillors yesterday admitted they lacked technical skill to run the city. Speaking at a leadership workshop held at the Bulawayo Museum, a majority of councillors admitted they were incompetent in dealing with matters affecting residents. Councillor for Ward 21 Reuben Matengu said residents in his ward brought developmental ideas but he could not implement them because of lack of knowledge.
“In my ward people come with developmental ideas such as business proposals so that I can assist them but I can’t assist because I don’t even know how to come up with a proposal for business myself,” said Matengu.
Ward 4 councillor Silas Chigora said councillors had many self-help project ideas but lacked knowledge on how to initiate or sustain them.

“Sometimes we plan in our heads but we end up nowhere with our proposals, we have plans to start poultry, community gardens, build recreation facilities, and halls but these plans have never seen the light of the day,” said Chigora.

In the meeting, it was also noted that councillors did not have a culture of reading.
Ward 22 councillor Rodney Jele said they only read the council agenda when preparing for a full council meeting.

“It has been two or three years since I read any literature, which usually is not good for a councillor since I’m supposed to be knowdgeable and informative about current events,” said Jele.

Angela Mason, Communications and Public Relations co-ordinator for Zimbabwe Development Democracy Trust (ZDDT) urged councillors to adopt modern communication methods.

“I urge all councillors to at least have a Facebook page so that they can disseminate information and even hold virtual meetings with their developmental committees for efficiency and speed,” she said.

The workshop was aimed at teaching councillors about leadership skills such as methods of handling meetings, conflict resolution, planning and information dissemination.

The seminar was attended by more than 18 councillors including Bulawayo Mayor Martin Moyo and was facilitated by Balancing Rocks Management and Development Consultancy director Zifiso Masiye.