Masvingo — Councillor Miriam Gwamadongo of Ward 12 in Masvingo West has been working tirelessly to ensure that all schools in the ward are well equipped for the students. Since getting into office in 2008, Cllr Gwamadongo says she has managed to raise thousands of dollars from well-wishers to guarantee that all schools in Ward 12 are resourced.

Ward 12 has three primary schools, Mudhenge, Nemanwa and Charumbira.

"Since 2009, I have managed to carry out a number of projects in the ward with the help of the local development committee," said Cllr Gwamadongo.

"Currently at Mudhenge Primary School we donated 32 window panes and 12 bags of cement since the classroom blocks were grossly dilapidated. At Nemanwa Primary School we sourced 12 bags of cement and at Charumbira Primary School we also bought 12 bags of cement," she said.

The councillor said work was underway at the three schools to ensure that the pupils learnt under a conducive environment at all times.

The activities being carried out by Clr Gwamadongo serve to illustrate how the MDC in government and local government has brought economic and social turnaround in both urban and rural areas of the country.

Cllr Gwamadongo said when she was elected into office, Ward 12 had been plunged into a political and social abyss by former Zanu PF councillors. Social services in the ward were virtually grounded following years of negligence by the Zanu PF councillors. "Education is vital since it contributes towards a bright future for our children. It is surprising to note that Zanu PF councillors were only concerned about looting council resources without implementing any meaningful development programmes," said Councillor Gwamadongo.

She said the projects she implemented in the ward indicated that the MDC leadership was ready to deliver real change at local government and national levels. "I believe we are servants of the people who elected us. This is where we differ from Zanu PF. We do not talk much about our achievements but our track record is there for the electorate to see.

"We were elected to serve the needs of the people. It is therefore fundamental for us to work towards infrastructural development in the ward. I am unhappy with the health delivery services in the ward and I am working towards improving the services. We have a point to prove to the electorate and we want to promote an accountable leadership," she said.

She said however the people in her ward were concerned on how some Zanu PF members were working with Fortune Charumbira, a chief in the area to thwart her programmes and development meetings but were determined to continue pursuing their goals.

"It is my sincere hope that we all work hard to reflect excellence in leadership," said Cllr Gwamadongo.