By Admore Mbonda in Kariba
Kariba – Residents of Gatshe Gatshe in Kariba Rural have been called upon to actively engage in the national and local budget consultation processes, as part of a wider initiative to strengthen grassroots participation in governance and development planning.
The call came during a community engagement session led by Diana Mairosi, Coordinator of the Advocacy Core Team in Zimbabwe, who urged communities to take ownership of their development by understanding how budgetary decisions impact their daily lives.
“These literacies are designed to help communities understand how the budget-making mission connects to their own lives,” said Mairosi.
“We need to see development at the international and national levels reflected meaningfully in our communities.”
Mairosi noted that one of the major challenges facing rural communities during consultations is the misalignment between grievances raised and the actual purpose of the budget discussions.
“When Parliament visits, communities often raise general concerns about healthcare, roads, or social unity — important issues, yes, but they need to be framed in a way that speaks directly to the budget,” she explained.
To address this gap, the Advocacy Core Team is implementing an educational outreach program that empowers community members to present their needs more clearly and effectively.
“Instead of simply saying ‘we don’t have water,’ people should be able to say, ‘we need a water treatment plant,’ or ‘we need a borehole with piping infrastructure,’” Mairosi added.
The program, which began in Nyanga, has since reached Marondera, Igavha, Bindura, and now Gatshe Gatshe, with its final session scheduled for Chinhoyi. Its core objective is to foster informed and constructive dialogue between citizens and authorities during the national budget formulation process.
Local traditional leader Headman Dandawa Richard Kapurira welcomed the initiative.
“This program is vital. It empowers us to articulate our community’s needs in a structured way. With the right information and tools, we can influence the budget process and push for real change,” he said.
As the campaign continues, there is growing optimism among both leaders and residents that greater civic literacy and participation will result in more equitable resource distribution and tangible improvements in service delivery across Kariba Rural and beyond.
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