The Zimbabwe growth point phenomenon : impact and implications on public service delivery

Abstract

The article examines the phenomenon of growth points in Zimbabwe. The growth point strategy inter alia aims to decongest urban centres by elevating some business centres to growth point status in order to curb rural and urban migration with work opportunities and the provision of basic essential services available at growth points. The growth point strategy was first introduced in Zimbabwe soon after independence in 1980 with the aim of transforming rural service and business centres into vibrant economic hubs for rural development. Consequently, some public services traditionally found in towns and cities have been decentralised to enable local communities to access such services at the growth points. Residential areas were also established at the growth points in order to accommodate business expansion. Only a few of the more than 50 growth points located in different provinces of the country have been successful. Nevertheless, the idea which captured the euphoria of independence ushered in serious challenges on public service delivery at the newly established growth centres. The article also identifies the constraints that hamper effective and efficient public service delivery at growth points and attempts to determine the impact and implications of the growth point policy on public service delivery. It provides some solutions for the revival and resuscitation of the growth point strategy to reduce urban congestion. The strategy augurs very well with the aspirations of rural communities and has the potential of transforming them into ‘nave-centres’ of economic development.