He was voted the Zimbabwe Democracy Development Trust 2012 councillor of the year in recognition of his tireless work. Since his election in 2008, Ndlovu has established beneficial synergies with relevant entities in a bid to achieve maximum development in his community.
Ndlovu has also been at the forefront of spearheading environmental projects through planting of both indigenous and exotic trees, clean up campaigns and establishing nutritional gardens.
“One of the projects which caused me to be recognized by ZDDT is the urban greening project, where the community has planted more than 100 trees. We have realized that trees are now dwindling because residents are cutting firewood due to electricity shortages,” said Ndlovu.
The trees were donated by ZDDT and Ndlovu paid tribute to the organization for empowering local communities through its self-help projects.
One of the major challenges he faces is sabotage of his projects by people he suspects to be political rivals.
“Some of the trees we planted in open spaces have been uprooted. We have now resorted to planting them in public places such as libraries, clinics and schools where there is security. I will continue working for the community and no one will succeed in pulling me down,” he said. Ndlovu has also successfully organised the elderly, widows, people living with HIV/Aids and orphans to establish eight nutritional gardens in the area, which are now sustaining families.
“Everyone, including people from other political parties, is involved in our projects,” said Ndlovu, who worked closely with the late MP for the area, Seiso Moyo, and together they managed to utilize the Constituency Development Fund to bring considerable development to the ward. This included laboratory equipment worth $5,000 for Maranatha Secondary School, repaid of 308 chairs and purchase of 130 chairs for Mgiqika Primary School, purchase of 220 treated fencing poles for Manondwane Primary School and a pedestrian bridge.
Ndlovu has also embarked on the restoration of Nketa recreational park, which has been neglected for several years.
“Over the years council has not been maintaining its recreational parks due to financial difficulties. The Nketa community has taken upon themselves the responsibility to restore our recreational park, which used to be one of the most well maintained park in the city,” he said.
One of the major reasons people elect community leaders into positions of authority is that they expect excellent service delivery and adequate representation. Ndlovu has not only proved to be a good leader, but also a faithful servant of the people, as he is always more than keen to address their needs wherever possible.
“Time management is hard but I have a schedule that I write in my diary. People come in the evenings and they bring all sorts of issues. I refer some of them to the police as they will be beyond my jurisdiction. However, I have managed to solve a lot of domestic disputes. Being a councillor should be a full time job because he/she is a facilitator and arbitrator in the community,” he said.
Ndlovu, who is employed by the National Railways of Zimbabwe as a Wagon Examiner in the mechanical department, said he would seek re-election during the forthcoming polls.
Post published in: Environment