Veteran politician and former Senator Mattson Hlalo has declared that senior citizens in Bulawayo Mzilikazi’s ward eight are no longer content to be sidelined in political processes instead, they are stepping forward as influential stakeholders determined to shape the constituency’s leadership going forward.
Speaking in his capacity as a senior member of the Sesikhulile Senior Citizens group, Hlalo revealed that the organisation has mobilised close to over 5000 elderly residents in the ward , a formidable bloc he says will be a "game changer" in future elections.
“We as the Sesikhulile Senior Citizens of Ward 8 are going to have an impact as to who is going to be our next councillor and MP.
“That I can assure you will be a game changer,” Hlalo stated emphatically in an interview with Southern Eye on Sunday.
A seasoned political figure, Hlalo began his career as a councillor in ward eight before serving two terms in the Senate under the CCC and MDC banner respectively.
Today, as a respected elder in the same community, he continues to champion the rights of the elderly, organising monthly meetings where issues affecting senior citizens are discussed in line with constitutional provisions.
“We meet every month to look at what we could be doing as to what our constitution provides for us as senior citizens,” he explained.
“We are very soon going to be engaging in several fields where we need to advocate for senior citizens’ rights so that all that is promised in the constitution is actually delivered to us.”
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Hlalo expressed concern over the increasing marginalisation of community voices in local political representation, pointing to a growing trend where councillors and Members of Parliament emerge without meaningful community consultation often propelled by populist party structures rather than grassroots support.
“This has actually negated what politicians should be doing serving the electorate who should be putting them in these positions,” he said.
“We have just seen a scenario where these incumbents serve themselves and not the people who sent them to represent us.”
While Hlalo clarified that Sesikhulile Senior Citizens is not positioning itself as a political party, he underscored the group’s intention to wield its “numerical and wisdom advantage” to influence local political outcomes.
“We control quite a significant number of elderly people, which nobody can ignore.
“Where politics has gone wrong, we are going to correct it.” he said.
Beyond politics, the group is also exploring ways to uplift its members through self-sustained initiatives.
He revealed that members are considering contributing a small monthly amount such as US$5 in order to build a welfare fund to support one another in times of distress or emergency.
As Zimbabwe continues to grapple with political and economic uncertainty, the emergence of organised and determined community groups like Sesikhulile Senior Citizens could mark a turning point one where seasoned voices help restore accountability and service in public office.
