MIDWEEK REPORTER
CHIREDZI-Gibson Hwende who has been Chiredzi Town ward 1 councilor is the first person in the sugarcane producing town to become an Alderman.
Hwende, was bestowed with the honor last year in a full council meeting and will be officially installed this Thursday at a ceremony to be held at Clevers Hotel in the morning.
An Alderman is a ceremonial title, denoting a high-ranking member of a council, chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote on the basis of his or her performance for the community and the local authority.
The Urban Councils Act allows for the conferment of an Alderman on any councilor who would have served in that capacity for eight continuous years and above to be given such status through a vote by elected representatives.
Hwende, who is also the current Council chairman has been a councilor for the past ten years on the bounce and he becomes the first person to get the honor since Chiredzi became a town in 2000.
“It is a pleasure and I feel very honored to become the first Alderman of this important town in the country. It’s a historic occasion and the honors is now upon me reciprocate by continuing to serve the people of Chiredzi with distinction.
“I am a people’s servant and will continue to be an agent of development, I am an expert in conflict management and this honor dovetails into my recent academic qualification where I have just obtained my Masters Degree in Public Sector Management.
“I will not disappoint the people of Chiredzi who have entrusted me with the leadership of the area in the past 10 years.
“I will also work towards establishing a consultancy organization to educate people on issues of public governance as very few people are well versed in the area,” said the soft spoken Hwende.
He added that he will work as a development agent and not a politician as the word is too tainted for him to achieve his vision.
Milton Chauke from ward 1 in Chiredzi Town applauded the councilors for honoring Hwende whom he described as among a rare breed of young leadership who should be given the opportunity to take the sugarcane town to higher levels of development.
“Hwende is level headed and this is testified by his sterling service to the residents who repaid him by giving him another term in office in 2028.
“Although he belongs to a political party he is one person who least prioritizes politics as his mantra is development and service delivery to the residents,” said Chauke.
The program will begin at 10am and The Midweek will be beaming the event live on our Facebook page @MidWeekWatch.
