Devolution, Neighbourhood Form and Structure and Transformations in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, 2018-2021

Abstract

With the government of Zimbabwe channelling devolution funds through the Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, the
paper challenges this channel towards ‘Si Ye Pambili’ the city’s motto, which is translated as ‘Let us go Forward’. The question is
who is being taken where, by whom, and how is it going to happen and when. Zimbabwe has selected devolution as the mechanism
through which it will achieve decentralisation. The article seeks to understand the Zimbabwe National Devolution and Decentralisation
Policy by analysing it in the context of the local government amendment bill and the Constitution of Zimbabwe. In the contexts
of neighbourhood organisation structures, neighbourhood management and neighbourhood fiscal resource allocation and
neighbourhood information access. The growth of Bulawayo City has been largely unsuccessful, the decision-making process has been
met with fluctuations in funding and questionable levels of support from central government and the communities. Devolution is,
therefore, an important opportunity to re-examine how the devolution of powers and decision making to neighbourhoods,
through the community sector, could be achieved. Using a lucid review of literature, informed by theories, and qualitative research
approaches, the paper discusses issues of mechanisms for neighbourhood governance. The article concludes by saying that,
although new mechanisms for neighbourhood governance would be required, they would have to vary according to geography and local requirements going beyond consultation processes.