Staff Writer
The government says there is an urgent need to upgrade the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) systems in order to improve efficiencies in collecting contributions and paying pensions.
This was said by the Minister of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare, Edgar Moyo, announcing the Authority’s new Board, chaired by Christopher Dube, the Town Clerk of the City of Bulawayo, which replaced the previous one led by Emmanuel Fundira.
“NSSA’s outdated information system is slowing down work, especially when it comes to collecting contributions and paying pensions. Upgrading this system is urgent,” he said.
Moyo said when it comes to pension benefits, decisions must be based on expert actuarial advice and long-term planning to keep pensions safe.
NSSA is a statutory corporate body in Zimbabwe, established by the NSSA Act of 1989, mandated to provide social security to Zimbabweans through various schemes, primarily the Pension and Other Benefits Scheme (POBS) and the Accident Prevention and Workers’ Compensation Scheme (APWCS), with a vision to offer a comprehensive social security package.
NSSA’s functions include administering these schemes, advising the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare on social security matters, and promoting social welfare through various initiatives.
On the new NSSA board, other members include Innocent Chinyama, CEO of Zimnat Asset Management, and Gilbert Takabarasha, Director of Human Resources and Administration at Dairibord Holdings.
The labour sector is represented by Florence Taruvinga, President of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU); David Dzatsunga from the Zimbabwe Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (ZICOSTU); and Ruth Sibanda of the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions (ZFTU).
Also appointed to the board are Josephine Takundwa, Vice President of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC); F. Matongera from the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare; and Walter Mupandawana, Head of Human Capital Development at the Public Service Commission.
Moyo said NSSA’s investment strategy must now align more closely with national development priorities, especially agriculture and infrastructure, sectors he identified as crucial to Zimbabwe’s economic recovery.
He also said there is a need for a strong and capable board at NSSA to avoid overlapping duties and improve efficiency.
“The new board’s job is to improve governance, strengthen oversight, and make operations run better,” he said.
Moyo praised the progress made under the new general manager and said the focus now is on building on that success with transparency and fighting corruption.
He also highlighted the importance of following the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act, making sure there is a clear separation between the roles of the ministry and the board.
The minister asserted that improving working conditions for board members and staff, as well as simplifying committee structures, will help the authority work more efficiently.
“To help the new board understand their duties, a governance training workshop will be held soon,” he said.
