THERE have been few instances where women have been elected to be mayors in the past, but the 2018 election saw a change in attitude as female councillors were elected to be mayors.
On such case is that of Chitungwiza mayor Rosaria Mangoma, the first female to be substantive mayor of the dormitory town.
NewsDay correspondent Tatenda Kunaka (ND) caught up with Mangoma (RM) to have an insight into what she thinks should be done to tame the water and sewage challenges in the dormitory town.
Below are excerpts of the interview.
ND: You made history by becoming the first female mayor of Chitungwiza, how do you feel about it?
RM: When I was elevated to the position of mayor, I felt very excited and knew that I had a mammoth task ahead of me since everyone will be watching and following me with keen interests.
ND: Women in politics face various challenges, including body shaming, stereotyping and violence. So far, how has your journey been?
RM: Indeed, there is a lot of stereotyping against women. I am, however, fortunate that since I assumed the post of mayor, I haven’t faced that.
ND: You have a big job on your hands filling the position left by ousted former mayor Lovemore Maiko. Does that put pressure on you?
RM: First of all, I would like to salute the former mayor for the things he achieved during his tenure.
Of course, like I said earlier, when I was elected mayor, it was a humbling experience, yet I knew that I had a mammoth task ahead of me.
ND: Growing up, did you see yourself in politics?
RM: I have always been interested in politics and economics and the effect that major decisions have had on the world.
I started reading magazines when I was a teenager, following international current affairs and was very eager to know what was happening in the world. I knew I would end up as a politician.
ND: How has your family’s political background influenced you?
RM: My parents’ involvement in politics made me develop an interest in politics. As I grew, I started following them to political gatherings.
ND: Chitungwiza faces an acute water shortage, raw sewage is flowing on the streets and a host of other problems. What is your strategy and plan to improve service delivery?
RM: Let me assure Chitungwiza residents that water challenges are going to come to an end.
A local company, Wistmer Investment, working with the government, has taken steps to bring solutions to this problem.
Wistmer will pump water from the Jonasi Aquifer in the Seke community and has other plans in place to boost water supply.
We are expecting to have an improved water supply that would see Chitungwiza getting over 70 megalitres per day.
We believe that improved water supply will help us to deal with sewage challenges, as this will ensure the easy flow of liquid waste.
However, in the meantime, we are de-blocking some sewer lines to improve the flow.
We are de-silting 6,3 kilometres of the Seke sewer line. We are also repairing damaged roads.
Our appeal is that ratepayers should pay their dues so that we can do more in terms of service delivery.
ND: Former acting mayor Kiven Mutimbanyoka once said there was too much politicking at council by management, and that this was affecting service delivery. Do you have anything to say?
RM: Let me submit that we are working as a team at the council. I did not see any politicking even by councillors.
When we are in council chambers, we discuss council business and not politics.
We have managed to embrace each other, even as councillors despite coming from different political parties.
ND: Lastly, we joined other countries in commemorating Women’s Day at the beginning of the month. What is your message to fellow women or girls?
RM: In line with the International Women’s Day theme, I say it is very prudent to invest in women.
If you empower a woman, you empower the whole world. Women need to be involved in the processes of national development.