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Locadia Mavhudzi, Midlands Bureau
ZIMBABWE is rich in human and natural resources that can be maximally exploited to improve the economy, EThekwini Municipality of Durban program manager Mr Collin Pillay has said.

Addressing delegates during a Midlands State University (MSU) three day symposium on Local Economic Development (LED) hosted by the Department of Local Governance Studies at the university’s Gweru Main Campus on Friday, Mr Pillay said each local authority in the country had a special role to play in improving the economy.

He urged local authorities to utilise their resources to benefit their local economy and that of the country.

“Zimbabwe is not resource limited. Our experiences with local authorities in Zimbabwe have reflected that each municipality has peculiar resources that can be exploited for the benefit of both the local authority and the community,” said Mr Pillay.

Mr Pillay said local authorities must employ innovative income generating strategies citing that Durban’s coastal location has enabled the municipality to grow from tourism, industrial and infrastructure development.

The South African delegation from EThekwini Municipality was part of the local government symposium to share lessons with their Zimbabwean counterparts through a South to South partnership to enhance development in Southern Africa.

Chairperson of the Department of Local Governance Studies at MSU Mr Steven Chakaipa said their involvement with local authorities is meant to strengthen their performance and develop the national economy.

“The symposium is an endeavour to promote community development through innovative local governance.

“As a knowledge institution, it is our mandate to provide capacity development to local authorities since they are central to the development of the economy.  The symposium ran under the theme: ‘Strengthening Local Government Service Delivery Capacity for Sustainable Growth and Inclusive Development,’” said Mr Chakaipa.