Ntombizodwa Khumalo, Ward 23 councilor and Bulawayo acting Mayor, firmly believes in unity, trust, and peace for effective community planning.

These core values serve as the foundation for social cohesion and trust, fostering the growth and development of communities. During a recent community values workshop in Nkulumane, Khumalo highlighted the importance of these principles in driving progressive planning and implementation.

“Peace and trust are central towards building and developing our community in that, if there is no peace, there won’t be progressive planning and implementation, “said Khumalo during the community values workshop, which had more than 50 residents present.

Nkulumane is participating in this workshop among five communities, namely Pumula, Ntumbane, Glen View, Epworth, and Chitungwiza. The objective was to identify common themes and aspirations amongst the communities, transforming them into shared community values. This process aims to enhance social cohesion, reduce perceptions of threats and violence, and encourage increased civic engagement.

A pressing issue emerging from the workshop discussions was the high prevalence of drug and substance abuse among community members. Nkulumane residents believed that collective unity and peaceful efforts are crucial in overcoming this crisis. Unfortunately, some individuals within the community facilitate the sale and importation of substances, exacerbating the problem. Participants emphasized the importance of reporting individuals involved in this destructive cycle to the authorities for appropriate action.

The community values workshop, organized by the Accountability Lab Zimbabwe’s Civic Action Team (CivActs),​​a citizen feedback, dialogue, and community voice platform that ensures accountability in the development process, took place from November 7 – 9, 2023.

Participants reflected on both the positive and negative qualities of their community. They discussed what made them proud to be part of Nkulumane and what frustrated them.

Common points of pride included “Ubuntu” I am because we are peace, respect, and unity. Frustrations centered around issues such as violence, individualistic economic practices, corruption, nepotism, tribalism, and deteriorating infrastructure and social services.

The workshop helped participants to envision the ideal Nkulumane. Residents collectively expressed their vision for a united, peaceful, respectful, crime-free, secure, and inclusive community with well-developed infrastructure, quality social services, and equal opportunities for all. Their desired values encompass respect, transparency, accountability, honesty, unity, dignity, and love.

Finally, participants created an action plan to prioritize unity, peace, respect, a crime-free environment, security, inclusive opportunities, quality infrastructure and social services, functional public institutions, and accountable local leadership.

The community proposed various methods for promoting these values, including social media campaigns targeting youths, printed materials in English and vernacular languages, dissemination in universities, colleges, and to local leaders, posting on the Accountability Lab website, participation in trade fairs, broadcasting on local media like Skyz Metro FM, and outreach through churches, fliers, and newsletters.

Accountability Lab fosters increased social cohesion, reduced perceptions of threats and violence, and enhanced community civic engagement. Nurturing unity, trust, and peace allows communities to plan and develop holistically, creating environments where shared values anchor the progress and well-being of all.

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Bathabile Dlamini is the Media and Communication Officer at Accountability Lab Zimbabwe