Zebakwe Trust Newsletter 2013

Background to the formation of Zebakwe

Zebakwe Trust was established by the Zimbabwe Platinum Mines Limited (Zimplats) and the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe in January 2002 for the purpose of alleviating conditions of social distress in the communities of Chegutu District in Mashonaland West Province of Zimbabwe. In aligning the Trust with its broader objectives the current board changed the name from Zebakwe Housing Trust to Zebakwe Trust in May 2012. Its logo was also rebranded.

Current Zebakwe Trust Board members; from left Mrs. O. Mwamlowe, Mrs. B. Chindove, Mr. RM. Kaisi, Mr. C. Mugwambi Mr. D. Mutambara (Chairman)

Trust's Stakeholders

Below are the main Stakeholders of the Trust:

Principals of the Trust,
The board of Trustees,
Local Authorities in Norton, Chegutu, Selous, Mhondoro-Ngezi,
Communities of Chegutu Norton, Selous and Mhondoro-Ngezi,
Tenants residing in Trust properties,
Trust employees.

Trust Properties

Zimplats donated a total of 316 housing units to the Trust. The Trust employs these properties to generate revenue to finance the fulfilment of its mandate. The housing units are located as follows:

Bluffhill in Harare 15 low-density houses
Mimosa flats in Norton 55 medium density flats
Katanga in Norton 82 high-density houses
Mvovo in Chegutu 164 high-density houses

Chegutu 63 undeveloped high density stands. Of the 63 stands the Trust built 12 core houses which are now being leased out.

2012 Annual General Meeting Highlights

The 2012 AGM was attended by a number of stakeholders including some of those mentioned above. The Chairman, Mr. David Mutambara, reported on the Trust's Governance, major achievements, main challenges and the Trust's future vision. The 2011 annual accounts were presented and adopted. It was at this AGM that a suggestion was made to have a meeting for purposes of crafting strategies for alternative resource mobilization. The meeting would bring together Zebakwe Trust Board and local authorities from the district where its activities are carried out.

Vision

Zebakwe Trust vision is to engage in community development focusing on health, education, empowerment, care for the environment, advocacy and volunteerism in Mashonaland West with special attention on Chegutu District in order to improve livings standards.

Mission

Zebakwe Trust is dedicated to promoting health, education, empowerment, care for the environment, advocacy and volunteerism of and for people in Chegutu District. The Trust will focus its resources and efforts through working with strategic partners and also partnering with communities and local leaderships at grass roots where the Trust support will make a significant difference.

Values

Integrity
Inclusivity
Transparency
Diligence
Sensitivity
Respect

Goals

To alleviate conditions of social distress in communities in which the Trust operates,
To grow the Fund and expand program activities
To build a portfolio of strategic partners in order to fulfil the mandate of the Trust

Strategic objectives

To strengthen the capacities of the Trust administration in order to improve effectiveness in carrying out Trust objectives.
To enhance governance of the Trust for the purpose of accountability.
To enhance resource mobilisation of the Trust in order to finance program activities implementation in the communities where the Trust operates.
To enhance stakeholder engagement by the Trust for the purpose of inclusivity, sensitivity and transparency and above all to secure licence to operate in the district where its activities are carried out.

Programs Portfolio

The Trust's Program of activities are run under the following scope of programs:

Projects to date

To date Zebakwe Trust has undertaken a number of projects in Chegutu District, Mashonaland West in Zimbabwe. The Trust has paid school fees for OVCs; donated medical equipment to Norton Hospital; plumbing materials, books, sporting and computer equipment to primary schools in Norton, Chegutu surrounding areas. It supported community members with assistive devices and donated medical equipment to Chinengundu clinic in Chegutu. Zebakwe Trust participated in the sponsorship of NASH drama competitions for which it has a floating trophy.

Commissioning of Kaguvi Phase 3 waste water treatment works

The Trust funded the construction of Kaguvi Phase III waste water treatment works in Chegutu. The Plant was officially commissioned by Dr. I.M.C Chombo on 17 October 2011. The project has benefited a population of +/- 30,000 residing in over 3500 housing units.

Commissioning of St Eric's Primary school borehole

The Trust also commissioned a water project at St Eric's Primary school in
Norton. The school was the only one without borehole water hence pupils had to bring water from their homes as council water supply was erratic. The Trust intends to expand the project at St Eric's Primary school with the involvement of the community in income generating projects. Scoping of a poultry project was done and is waiting approval by the Board and implementation.

Donation of clothes

The Trust made a donation of clothes to the disabled and aged people in Chegutu on 11 December 2012. The clothes were handed to beneficiaries by the Mayor of Chegutu, Councilor N. Wadzingenyama.

Signing of MOU with Local Authorities

Another highlight for the year 2012 was the signing of a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) between Zebakwe Trust and local authorities of Chegutu Rural District Council and Chegutu Municipality on the 11th of December 2012 at The Bronte Hotel. The same MOU is still to be signed by Norton Town Council. The purpose of the MOU is to establish a mutual framework governing the relationships, responsibilities, and activities between the Trust and the Local Authorities. The Trust is in possession of the
social needs lists drawn from presentations made by Mr. Zvobgo, CEO Chegutu Rural district Council, and Mrs. M. Mandeya, Director; Housing and Community Services, Chegutu Municipality. Representatives from Norton Town Council were unable to attend and this leaves the signing of MOU with this local authority outstanding and to be pursued. A MOU between Zebakwe and a local authority gives the former a license to operate in the area under the jurisdiction of latter. The MOU seeks to lay out the
parameters within which to ad-dress social needs in the communities defined as per their 5 year development plans.

The Trust will receive, on an annual basis, a copy of the 5 year development plan from each respective Local Authority. The Trust will then use the plans as far as possible to draw out the plans for program activities to be carried out.

Alternative Resources Mobilization

In addition to the signing of the MOU the board of Trustees and local authorities representatives discussed the issue of alternative resource mobilization to enable the Trust to implement its mandate.

The Town Clerk of Chegutu, Mr. A Mandigo made a presentation on possible resources mobilization ideas for the Trust to consider in future. One possibility which has already been taken on board is the forming strategic partner-ships with corporate and other like minded organizations in pursuing Trust mandate.

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