The giant has fallen, go well Joshua
LIKE the Biblical Joshua, you came to City of Mutare, to be more precise in April 2017.
You assumed your leadership role at a time when the local authority was in the doldrums and teetering on the brink of collapse.
Borrowing from your popular words: “City of Mutare was a sinking ship, or better off in the woods”, that truly described the state of affairs that was prevailing at the local authority.
The situation obtaining then was a common secret to all Mutare residents and stakeholders that the local authority resembled a sinking titanic ship.
Like the Biblical Joshua, you came to provide light and leadership that helped the sinking ship to find its bearings and navigate to safe waters.
Surely you had the Midas Touch, as the very same month you assumed duty at Number One, Queensway, workers started receiving their monthly salaries, something which had became a taboo as they had gone for five years without salaries. Workers were surviving on bank loans.
You started re-aligning and deploying your professional and intellectual prowess in all important Local Government facets that ensured that the local authority ticks and brought back on the rail. You created so many enemies and friends as you led the local authority and restore good corporate governance which had been thrown out of the window.
You brought dignity to Mutare residents and stakeholders by ensuring that basic service delivery was rendered and that customers derive value for their hardearned money.
You brought dignity to employees who had last received their salary in 2013. Your restored the wheels of professional ethics, introduced a new working culture and sealed the gaps which were being exploited to plunder council resources.
You were a true captain, leading a dedicated team of management and you were always leading from the front. Like the old adage; rough seas make the best captains, you proved your capabilities and stood head and shoulders above many of your peers in local governance issues.
You proved to be a hands-on professional local governance expert who turned the tables of shame to glory and now Mutare City is one of the best run local authorities on the land.
When you assumed your leadership role together with your competent team of men and women in management positions, council had lost memories of complying with statutory obligations.
Accounts were not being audited. From 2014 up to 2017, no audits were done. However, through your team spirit shrewdness and dedicated team work, you only rested after clearing all the outstanding backlogs. Not only that, you left the local authority up to date with its books and focus was on auditing the year 2020.
I recall vividly your desire that the year 2021 should mark a turning point and City of Mutare must be one of the first local authorities to be audited within the set timeframes and there is no reason for failing to attain this.
You were a true Joshua who devoted your expertise and local governance skills
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Having been born and bred in the city, you were alive to the tenets that earned the local authority the Jewel of the East status.
The beauty and glamour which characterised the city during the yesteryears is what you were working on to restore.
The major challenge which affected the local authority to live within its vision and mission was lack of equipment and capital, and in less than a year, three new refuse compactors, a staff bus, back hoe loader and four utility vehicles were bought.
This was made easier because you earned the residents and stakeholders’ trust. They saw your vision and religiously played their part by honouring their monthly obligations.
Kudos to all progressive residents and stakeholders who made this possible.
The procurement of the fleet was historic in the sense that the local authority had gone for more than a decade without procuring plant and equipment.
That marked a turning point in terms of refuse collection efficiency, response to water burst and sewer blockages and the trend continued until the very day you breathed the last.
You opened the engagement doors for residents and stakeholders to interact and share information and suggestions through setting the Public Relations Office. The city managed to bridge the communication gap and the open door policy is paying dividends.
Adding to that, you assembled a team of professional and experienced staff to drive service delivery as they lead in various departments and the rest is history. You introduced a new working culture underpinned by the new mantra: “If the rhythm of the drum beat changes, the dance steps must adapt.”
Surely the dance steps changed when you stepped at Civic Centre. The Laissez affair approach to work died, a new working culture emerged.
Professionalism and dedication was re-introduced and the entire workforce is now dancing to the new rhythm which you introduced. Although the process was still on going and admittedly it was not an easy task to accomplish.
You demonstrated beyond doubt that you were a servant leader who simplified local authority service delivery.
Quite unfortunate your time came when your leadership was required the most. You ran an unmatched race Sir, sleep well.
The Mutare community has sadly lost a game changer. Everything was starting to take shape. You had retired all the employees’ salary backlogs dating back to 2013. You also cleared some statutory obligations and also instigated the forensic land audit.
You initiated the re-branding of the city, and the corporate brand has been accepted and recognised beyond borders as evidenced by numerous accolades. You left us at a time when we are competing in the first ever continental competition, The Multi-City Challenge Africa, where
City of Mutare is the only local authority in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa, competing with other four cities in Africa that include Accra, Kampala, Bahir Dar and Kano.
Indeed, Mr Maligwa you fulfilled what was required to occupy that hot seat, that of improved service delivery. The local authority will pursue the various investment portfolios that you expressed desire to see coming to fruition, chief being the
Sakubva Urban Renewal Project, which was accorded national project status.
The Special Economic Zone which is earmarked to be established in Fernhill, which will result in the establishment of the Gemology Centre to drive the value addition and beneficiation of the diamond cutting and polishing among other gem stones.
You left at a time when the Dangamvura
Water Project had progressed well and your desire to provide running tape water to the Dangamvura community and Fern Valley will be vigorously pursued to its logical conclusion.
The beauty of the city is being restored in the Central Business District and Herbert Chitepo Street is now a marvel courtesy of the beautification programme which you initiated with your management team. For the first time, the local authority has installed two solar traffic lights.
Sakubva Stadium renovations are almost complete, but sadly you will not be able to watch the top-flight league matches despite all the hard work and commitment you devoted.
Mutare Infectious Disease Hospital is now a new facility and these are some of the visible foot prints you left for us.
Three major roads were transformed from gravel to tarmac ones. These are Blessing Makunike, Geoff and Magamba roads. First street was recently resealed.
Despite the limited and competing financial resources, your heartbeat for service delivery was unquestionable. The investment which you put in your foot soldiers made it easy for the task to be carried out. You have left us with a mammoth task to complete all the projects which you wanted completed at all costs.
With sheer determination and perseverance, we believe the Lord Almighty will give us the strength to carry on.
Indeed you came, led, executed, transformed, showed the way, achieved, deployed all your professionalism and work culture, You rested and closed your eyes.
Rest in Eternal Peace Bro Josh. Our hero, mentor, captain. We are now poorer without you.
You taught us true leadership. A no nonsense manager who never compromised professional ethics, You never glorified mediocrity, a perfectionist, a hard worker par excellence, local governance hero, a father, a friend and colleague.
Your style of leadership stretched us to think outside the box. A hands-on manager who refused the armchair approach of executing tasks. I can devote more acres of space to simply give a narrative of the story which you wrote during your three-year tenure at the helm of City of Mutare. Your vast experience in the Local Government sector which stretched beyond two decades made it easy for you to double as a father, Town Clerk and farmer. Sadly you departed at a time when you were studying for your doctorate degree at a local university.
Indeed, you fly high. Your works touched so many lives. City of Mutare is now a brand and a torch bearer in the Local Government sector.
We were not yet there, but the impact was so huge that it captured the attention of every resident and stakeholder.
Change is visible all over the city. Though the city is still grappling with numerous challenges, had it not been for the timely appointment of you Joshua, the city would have been a subject of ridicule like the once revered Sunshine City of Harare which has lost its lustre.
I was so much privileged to have worked with, interacted with you, for you were a true leader par excellence, a reservoir of knowledge, selflessness and hard work.
An all rounder, who reprimanded us, a tough and straight talker, who did not mince his words. A true example of a dedicated leader who carried his work with perfection to logical conclusion.
Toughness was in you and it has helped us to be who we are. Your leadership style opened our eyes and exposed us to new dimensions. We are proud of having worked with you.
When it comes to branding, you were very sensitive and wanted the best. Indeed our City of Mutare branding has taken a new dimension and you always told us that we should do things differently.
You left a rich legacy of hard work and honest and unquestionable loyalty and dedication to duty. Your traits of hard work are visible all over the city. You changed the city and before your untimely demise, all eyes were on Mutare.
The local authority has become the reference point of a well run and professional local authority that adheres to good corporate governance.
City of Mutare was shinning in all angles. You sharpened us and we should never fail you, but fly high. You shared your wisdom, gave us guidance, showed the way and led in executing as the captain. You had become a darling of many in the city due to your professional and attentiveness to key challenges. Your toughness has moulded us to be better than before.
It was not easy though, but now we have come to realise why. Your frankness is what I liked most. You would call a spade a spade . Telling it like as it is. The good, the bad and the ugly. A principled leader who always used the Urban Councils Act as the guiding compass. Mutare is mourning, indeed a giant has fallen and the impact has been felt all over.
You deserve to be celebrated for your works are all over and will remain.
Till then, our captain, Bla Josh. Rest in Power, God called you home. Who are we, we are, but just a pencil in the hands of the creator.
Go well Joshua, you ran your race and you played your part.
Tears may dry, but our thoughts are with you and your family.
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