Herbert Gomba

Gomba was born in the town of Rusape in Manicaland Province.[1] He attended Highfield 2 High School in Harare, where he completed his Ordinary and Advanced Levels.[1] After leaving school, he worked in various positions at Meikles Hotel before his election as councillor.[1]

In 2013, he earned a Bachelor of Science with Honours in sociology from the University of Zimbabwe.[1][2] He received a Master of Science in public policy and governance from Africa University near Mutare in 2016.[1][2][3]

Gomba was elected to the Harare City Council in 2008 for Ward 27, which covers parts of the Glen Norah suburb.[1] He has served as chairman of the business committee and health and environment committee, and was also a member of the housing committee and finance and development committee.[1][2][3] He became deputy mayor of Harare in 2008, but lost the post to Thomas Muzuwa in 2013.[4]

On 2 September 2018, The Standard reported that Gomba had been chosen as the mayoral candidate of the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance.[4] Gomba had been on the shortlist of three names presented by MDC Alliance President Nelson Chamisa before the party's national council earlier that week.[4] The other two names on the shortlist were Deputy Mayor Enock Mupamawonde and Councillor Ian Makone, the former chief advisor to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.[4] Factionalism reportedly played a role in the decision—Makone had the endorsement of MDC–T Secretary-General Douglas Mwonzora, whereas Gomba was seen as a Chamisa ally.[3] An additional factor was that Gomba came from the high-density suburbs, while Makone represented a ward composed of Borrowdale and other affluent low-density suburbs.[4]

Gomba was elected mayor of Harare on 3 September 2018 at a meeting of the city council.[5][6][7] The only ZANU–PF councillor, Martin Matinyanya nominated himself for the position, but did not receive a second, and Gomba was then elected unanimously.[5][6][7] The incumbent deputy mayor, Enock Mupamawonde, retained his post.[5][6][7] Gomba was sworn in on the same day by acting town clerk Hosea Chisango.[6][7] In his acceptance speech, Gomba said he intended to be a servant and listening mayor, and listed some of the problems facing the city, including corruption, water shortages, road infrastructure, traffic and street vending congestion, debt, and illegal occupation of council land.[5][6] Gomba is the first mayor from the city's western suburbs.[5] He succeeded Bernard Manyenyeni, who did not run for reelection to the city council in 2018.[6][7]

• Video of Gomba's mayoral inauguration