Bright Future For NSSA As Service Excellence, Operational Efficiency Are On Cards: Acting NSSA GM
By Desire Tshuma
The future for the national social security authority is looking bright as management looks ahead to achieve world class social security solutions by 2030, in alignment with the national vision of transforming Zimbabwe into upper middle income by 2030.
Speaking to this publication, acting NSSA general manager Dr Charles Shava said the social security organization envisions a future where it will contribute to poverty reduction through paying benefit levels above the poverty datum line as well as extend social security coverage to include branches of social security including sickness and maternity benefits.
He said NSSA planned to provide social security coverage to all Zimbabweans in both the formal and non-formal sector.
“We aim to transform NSSA into a beacon of reliability and support for all Zimbabweans by resolving non-performing investments, enhancing service delivery and expanding coverage through the implementation of cut-edge technologies. We will achieve this through a combination of strategic financial management, stakeholder engagement and a relentless focus on innovation and digitalization,” said Dr Shava.
NSSA has for the past years been marred by corruption perpetrated by top management and politicians. At one time the former Minister of Labour and Social Welfare was arrested for the embezzlement of thousands of US dollars.
Currently the corruption levels at NSSA has gone down as the current management is strengthening governance structures, ensuring strict adherence to transparency and accountability measures, and implementation of robust financial management strategies to stabilize and grow NSSA’s financial base.
Dr Shava said the national social security authority has crafted measures to bring back confidence to the stakeholders through strengthening governance, transparency and accountability, enhancing internal control systems and fostering a culture of accountability at all levels of the organization to maintain integrity and trust.
Currently NSSA has implemented digitalization and the staff has been trained in advanced IT infrastructure to sniff out illicit financial mismanagement.
NSSA is also planning to expand its services to cater for the informal sector and under-serviced groups to achieve comprehensive social protection.
To achieving this the organization is exploring innovative solutions such as tailored contribution schemes and micro-insurance products.
NSSA has gone for quite some time without a substantive general manager. Dr Shava is currently acting and the post of GM has been widely advertised. So far over 10 candidates have been shortlisted for the post and interviews will be held in the next few weeks.
