MOSES MATENGA
Harare has offered former mayor, Muchadeyi Masunda, an ambassadorial role in the local authority with a view to tap from his experience and connections locally and internationally.
Masunda, a corporate leader and an experienced lawyer, served the local authority in Harare between 2008 and 2013 as mayor after he was seconded by the late MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai to run the city despite him not being involved with any party politics.
Harare mayor Herbert Gomba confirmed saying: “l want to report on that to council. We are seeking council approval now.We want someone who will be able to unlock resources for and on behalf of the city. He had projects he had pursued prior to him leaving and those are the projects we would want him to pursue including the $20 million housing funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.”
The mayor added: “We want him to resuscitate twinning arrangements and also he is looking for funding together with the city to construct a local governance school of excellence. It is a joint venture with Harare.”
During his tenure, Masunda established a lot of contacts. He struck a lucrative deal involving American Billionaire Bill Gates and his wife Melinda, under the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to invest millions of dollars into Harare.
A US$5 million investment was meant to regenerate high-density areas such as Mbare.
However, political interference led to the project being taken to Dzivarasekwa. It has since been completed. Masunda said he was approached by Melanie Walker, a representative from the foundation after his presentations on Harare, first in China in 2008, then at the European Union development day’s symposium in Strasbourg, France, then in Barcelona in 2010.
Masunda was in 2010 appointed as the co-president of the United Cities and Local Government (UCLG).
UCLG is an umbrella organisation for cities, local governments and municipal associations throughout the world.
In Zimbabwe, the former Mayor is currently facilitating connections for the city on various projects.
