Enhancing Rural Governance in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Zimbabwe's rural governance involves coordination across different government levels, with distinct roles and responsibilities. The chapter highlights the historical evolution of rural governance in Zimbabwe, which has shifted towards greater decentralisation. The RDDC serves as a platform for coordination across government entities at the district level, but issues such as inadequate participation and conflicting authorities have been noted. Political dynamics, economic constraints, and social traditions influence intergovernmental coordination. Ansell and Gash's collaborative governance model offers insights for stakeholders. Intergovernmental coordination is crucial for facilitating collaboration and communication. There is a need for enhanced information sharing, clarified roles, improved leadership, adequate resources, and better communication mechanisms. Leveraging the lessons from Ansell and Gash's model can significantly contribute to promoting effective intergovernmental collaboration and improving rural governance and development outcomes in Zimbabwe.