Bongiwe Dube

Multiracial team engaged in a collaborative meeting in a modern office setting.

Collaboration Seen as Key to Community Development

Youths /

Stakeholders in Plumtree and Gwanda districts, including government officials, traditional leaders, civil society organisations and youth groups, have agreed that collaborative problem-solving is key to tackling the daily challenges facing their communities. civil society organisations, community-based organisations and young people in Gwanda and Plumtree say working together can help communities respond to some of the […]

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The Growing Footprint of Women in Local Governance

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A survey conducted by the Community Youth Development Trust (CYDT) between April and May 2026 reveals a growing presence of women in local development and service delivery processes across the districts where CYDT implemented its activities. The findings point to a significant shift in women’s participation in local governance. Women who participated in CYDT activities

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Close-up of a rusty outdoor water faucet with a single droplet falling from the spout.

Residents Demand Answers Over Water Crisis

Service delivery, Youths /

By Bongiwe Dube Gwanda residents and youth have demanded immediate accountability from municipal authorities over persistent water shortages, using knowledge and confidence gained through CYDT civic engagement initiatives to challenge service delivery failures. Following nearly a week of dry taps across the town, residents moved beyond expressing frustration to directly engaging council officials, questioning technical

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A group of African women in vibrant traditional clothing are gathered outdoors, showcasing cultural heritage.

Young Women Challenge Myths That Limit Their Participation

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Realizing the persistence of traditional and cultural myths that continue to limit young women’s participation and voice in community affairs, the Community Youth Development Trust (CYDT) conducted Young Women’s Forums/Voices Fora during April 2026 to give young women a space to openly discuss these barriers and how they affect their lives. The forums created an

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Young Women Engage Leaders as Hlalani Kuhle Clinic Marks a Step Forward in Gwanda

Service delivery, Youths /

Since early 2026, CYDT has been conducting a series of Young Women Voices Forums held in Gwanda and Plumtree in which young people engaged Councillors, government representatives, and local leaders to speak plainly about what they face in their communities. What came out of those conversations were service delivery gaps that needed urgent attention from

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Making Clinics Safe for Young Women

Youths /

CYDT conducted a series of Youth-Friendly Dialogue engagements from August to December 2025 at local community health centres in Plumtree and Gwanda. These engagements were designed to strengthen the relationship between young people, Village health workers and healthcare providers, particularly in relation to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services. Before this intervention, many

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An aged outdoor faucet mounted on a tree, blending with nature.

Prepaid Water Meters; Optional or Imposed: Will They Address Gwanda’s Water Billing Concerns?

Service delivery /

In Gwanda, water does not simply come from a tap. It comes from waiting. From listening for pipes that stay silent. From waking up hoping that today might be one of the few days when water briefly returns. For many residents, water shedding has become a permanent condition rather than an emergency response. Entire suburbs

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Women Take Centre Stage at Gwanda Budget Meetings…

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….Following CYDT Empowerment Drive ​In a remarkable shift in local governance, women across Gwanda town and surrounding rural wards turned out in unprecedented numbers for the local authority’s annual budget consultation sessions held in late November 2025. Historically, civic planning and fiscal consultations in Matabeleland South were dominated by male community elders, while female residents

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                       The State of Service Delivery: Youths voice their concerns

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Youths in Gwanda have expressed deep-seated grievances regarding the poor service delivery in the town, which has been a persistent issue for quite some time. Despite numerous complaints, little has been done to address these concerns. The youths have highlighted several areas of dissatisfaction, including waste management, water supply, public transportation, infrastructure, healthcare services, and

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