Know Your Councilor-Tino Mafusire, Norton Ward 11

By Correspondent

ZANU PF Norton Ward 11 Councilor Tino Mafusire says the new lockdown extension, which will complete 49 days of a national lockdown, is a good move by President Mnangagwa that should be supported by everyone.

The youthful Councilor, 25 years old, is the youngest in the Norton Town Council (NTC) and believes the country is facing a moment of crisis that requires unity of purpose.

“The lockdown is meant for our own good to avoid the spread of the Covid 19 pandemic.

“We should keep on abiding by the safety regulations as set by the Ministry of Health and save lives”, he says.

The second lockdown extension has caused much consternation among various members of the public who feel that, as informal workers, they can no longer sustain their livelihoods by being under lockdown.

The absence of government strategy to support the people has also caused despondency as the country, with 80% informally employed, struggle to make ends meet.

The ZW$18 billion economic and recovery stimulus package, unveiled by the government, has been deemed “fictitious” by some experts.

Mafusire, who is one of only two ZANU PF Councilors in Norton, however, believes his party has what it takes to bring progress to the community and has been working to bring about change within his own community.

“I have been a fan of ZANU PF from a tender age. My parents were strong admirers of the party hence it made me get more interested in the party’s agendas and made me support them.

“I have faced financial challenges in funding small community programs which I initiated in order to take care of people with disabilities and those of old age”.

Since becoming a Councilor after the 2018 elections Mafusire has worked to improve water supply in his Ward.

“Water supply is one of the most significant changes in my Ward as I managed to coordinate the drilling of boreholes and upgraded one of the boreholes located at our shopping centre to a solar-powered system.

“In the new stands area where there were no electricity meters we managed to deal with the issue and now they have electricity.

“Moreover through the Council, I’m currently working on the sewer system project in the new stands area”, he says.

Mafusire believes in the potential and ability of youths in politics and sees Zimbabwe as finely poised to benefit from the energy of the generational consensus of youths in politics.