Muchadei Masunda’s financial background makes him particularly well suited for counsel and oversight of Harare’s civic and business functions.Much, as Masunda is affectionately known, understands governance. He has worked with a variety of governance systems in the myriad organizations he has served or still serves in.
He is the chairman of leading companies Old Mutual Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Platinum Mines, Zimbabwe Sugar Association, John Sisk Africa, Siemens Zimbabwe, Dulys, Atlas Copco Zimbabwe, Lasarge Cement Zimbabwe and Coates Brothers Zimbabwe.
He is also director of large conglomerates Kingdom Meikles Group and Bindura Nickel Corporation.There is no doubt that his skills, insight and experience will be invaluable to the Harare city council.A founder member of the Commercial Arbitration Centre, the lawyer-cum-businessman is also the executive chairman of the Zimbabwe Institute of Directors and has quite a reputation in conflict resolution.
A former chairman in Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe, publishers of the banned Daily News newspaper, Masunda now sits on the board of the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe, where is he is chairman.He told The Zimbabwean in an exclusive interview that he has no illusions about the mammoth task that confronts him.
I am painfully aware of the magnitude of the task that lies ahead, Masunda said. I sincerely believe that if we focus on the simple things, like water and sewer reticulation, general cleanliness especially in the high density areas, I believe we will get this right. There will be more emphasis on the city serving its stakeholders. The residents in the high density suburbs have been shortchanged.
Masunda said he saw wonderful opportunities to transform the infrastructure of Harare and deliver better services to residents by infusing professionalism into civic affairs.I will not allow party political views to take precedence over civic issues, he told The Zimbabwean. I will instill a sense of purpose.
An astute businessman with ruthless efficiency in time management, Masunda promised to resuscitate the crumbling metro systems through team work.Harare Residents Trust, coordinator, Precious Shumba said he has no doubt that Masunda was the right man for the job of Mayor.
He is a man of integrity, Shumba said. He is honest and forthright. He is a man determined to achieve.
Union leaders gave a more luke-warm response to the announcement, branding him a man who goes around scouting for power.But Masunda said he was equal to the challenge and said he would put on track a modernization program that will turn around the city’s flagging fortunes.
In his acceptance speech after councilors had sat as an electoral college and elected him Mayor last Wednesday, Masunda said all councilors must put the interests of citizens first ahead of political party interests. He said her wil pursue cordial relations with central government.
The father-of-three said he would not step down from his other business interests, and said he can juggle his time by installing a highly competent team at Town House.
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