Masvingo City yesterday got its first and youngest female mayor after Councillor Shantel Chiwara was elected to lead the country’s oldest town.
Clr Chiwara, a banker by profession and a member of CCC, got 11 votes to two received by Zanu PF’s women’s quota Councillor Sharon Marombedze.
Masvingo District Development Coordinator Mr Roy Hove duly declared the Ward 2 councillor as the new mayoress for Masvingo.
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Long-serving Ward 5 Councillor Daniel Mberikunashe was elected deputy mayor after garnering 9 votes to defeat Zanu PF’s Ward 10 Councillor Sengerai Manyanga who got 2 votes, while 2 votes were spoilt.
The new mayoress takes over from former Ward Councillor, Collen Maboke, who was voted into office in 2018.
Citizens Coalition for Change party emphasized the significance of this achievement in promoting gender equality and youth participation in governance. Taking to X, CCC wrote,
“In line with President @nelsonchamisa‘s vision of promoting women & young people to national leadership positions, the councilors in Masvingo have elected one of the youngest Mayors in the country.
Shantel Chiwara, a 25-year-old, has been elected as the Mayoress of Masvingo. She will be supported by Deputy Mayor Councillor Daniel Mberikunashe.”
Shantel Chiwara’s success serves as an inspiration to aspiring young leaders, highlighting the possibilities and opportunities available to them in the political landscape.
