The Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET) warmly congratulates the City of Masvingo for establishing the Stakeholder Budget Committee (SBC), a progressive and commendable step towards strengthening participatory governance, transparency, and accountability in local public finance management.
The formation of the SBC demonstrates the City’s commitment to ensuring that residents and key stakeholders have a meaningful voice in decisions concerning the allocation and management of public resources. Inclusive budgeting processes are essential in building responsive local authorities that reflect the priorities and aspirations of communities, including informal economy workers, women, youth, persons with disabilities, and small business operators.
VISET particularly applauds the inclusion of diverse stakeholders drawn from residents’ associations, business organisations, women’s groups, youth representatives, financial institutions, religious organisations, and special interest groups. Such diversity is critical in promoting equitable and people-centred development.
We also commend the City of Masvingo and its partners for investing in capacity building through the ongoing stakeholder training workshop. Empowering committee members with knowledge on public financial management, governance systems, stakeholder engagement, and budget monitoring will strengthen the effectiveness of the SBC and enhance public confidence in council processes.
As an organisation working to advance social and economic justice for informal economy workers, VISET strongly believes that participatory budgeting is a cornerstone of democratic local governance. It creates opportunities for communities to influence development priorities, improve service delivery, and promote accountability in the utilisation of public funds.
We encourage the City of Masvingo to continue institutionalising citizen participation beyond the budgeting process and to ensure that stakeholder engagement remains consistent, transparent, and accessible to all sectors of society, particularly marginalised and vulnerable groups.
VISET remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote inclusive governance, citizen participation, and sustainable local economic development across Zimbabwe.
Issued by:
Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET)
