In the past three years Zimbabwe Christian Alliance (ZCA) had been actively involved in advocacy and accountability programs through its Local Advocacy Champions (LACs). The objective was to capacitate women and youth in community church groups to mobilise communities and advocate for socio-economic rights and accountability in Five Districts.
The Zimbabwe Christian Alliance (ZCA) operated in five districts, namely: Nkayi, Gweru, Chegutu, Beitbridge, and Masvingo. 150 LAC members were trained on issues such as engaging their stakeholders and holding them to account. The major target groups included: church leaders, traditional leaders, elected officials, women and youths.
The LAC members organised engagement meetings with different stakeholders to tackle topical issues that affect their communities, which include service delivery.
Stakeholders that were engaged throughout the three (3) years include City Councils or municipalities, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Rural District Councils, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), the Social welfare department and many others.
Zimbabwe still has sticking issues that need advocacy and holding leaders to account. Such issues include poor service delivery, rutted roads, and chronic burst sewers. When the Local Advocacy Champions (LAC) engaged authorities some cases where attended to and collectivism was used in bringing solutions to those problems.
Notably, the Nkayi ablution services at the bus terminus have been finished and are now being used by commuters boarding at the bus terminus.
The Mayor of Chegutu, His Worship Henry Muchatibaya noted that there was an increase in bill payments due to some of the engagements spearheaded by the LACs.
“We recorded an increase in monthly rates payments in Chegutu which is a positive move that we endeavour as the local authority to continue so that we also improve our services”, said the Mayor
These success stories and more were shared at the LAC Exchange Program in Masvingo. The road has not been easy, but there has been an amicable relation between LAC and the stakeholders proving the improvement in relationships between the community and the stakeholders. In Gweru for example, before LAC engagements, there was minimal communication between local authorities and the church community on how to regulate utility services and rate payments in the districts, but that has since been improved.
Broadcast radio shows became instrumental in promulgating advocacy messages and live engagements with duty bearers. Radio programs were hosted on Central Radio, Hevoi, Khulumani FM, ZBC National FM.
In a bid to fight the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic, the ZCA managed to distribute PPEs to its LAC members. Additionally in all five districts, there were COVID-19 awareness programmes, code named: The COVID-19 Awareness Drive.