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Article Title:
Implementation of Strategic Plans by Zimbabwean Local Authorities: A Case of Nyanga Rural District Council.
by Angeline Sithole, Vonai Chirasha and Memory Tatire

Abstract:
The local government of Zimbabwe adopted and introduced strategic planning to local authorities in the years 1997 to 1998. Local authorities are therefore expected to formulate and implement strategic plans. The significance of this study is to highlight the reasons behind failure by local authorities to implement strategic plans. The research focuses on determining if strategic planning by local authorities leads to successful strategy implementation, furthermore it aims to assess if strategic plans are being implemented and establish the challenges that are faced by local authorities in executing strategic plans. Finally, it seeks to determine whether successful implementation ensures efficient and effective service delivery. The study used interviews, questionnaires and focus group discussions as primary sources and council records as secondary data to establish that a number of challenges hinder the implementation process. The challenges fit in the categories of political, economic, and legislative elements. These revelations show that there is a gap between planning and implementation and cast considerable doubt on whether Zimbabwean local authorities are capacitated to implement strategic plans. Among the solutions are that council chambers should not be used as political battle fields at the expense of planning to improve service delivery, there is need to revise the legislations that guide the operations of local authorities, the central government needs to increase financial support to local authorities and that stakeholders be involved throughout the process to ensure successful implementation.

Keywords: strategic plans, strategy implementation, service delivery, participation

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