Recently Botswana Association of Local Authorities hosted five (5) delegation from the Association of Rural District Councils of Zimbabwe ( ARDCZ) from the 28th – 30 June 2023.

The intention behind this visit is for both parties; BALA and ARDCZ to exchange notes on the following bilateral issues; legal status of Local Government Associations, funding mechanisms for Local Government Associations, conditions of service for councilors and relations between Associations and Central Government.

In order for the delegates to appreciate and benchmark innovative ways of delivering services in Local Authorities , BALA arranged a courtesy call for them to visit Executive leadership of Gaborone City Council where delegates were given the opportunity to meet with the Town Clerk for Gaborone City Council Mr Lopang Pule and other management staff.

During visit some of the discussions were focused on the challenges faced by the City Council so far as well as what the Council aspirers to achieve in the near future.

The President of the ARDCZ , Mr. Alderman David Guy Mutasa appreciated some development structures in the Council noting that indeed it is a learning curve that they will implement in their Association.

The delegates proceeded and undertook a site visit to Kweneng District Council where they appreciated the District Fire Station and Emergency services and benchmark innovative ways of delivering fire services to the community.