Zimpapers Logo

BULAWAYO was once the country’s industrial hub and that status now seems to be a joke considering the parlous state of industries in the city. Concerted efforts are needed to make the city great again and the Zim-Asset stakeholders’ engagement conference held at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair on Friday and Saturday has laid the ground for the resuscitation of Bulawayo’s economy.

The meeting, which ran under the theme “Consolidating Bulawayo’s Growth Through Zim-Asset”, was meant to bring various ministers closer to the people to clarify issues that affect them. Although the First Lady, Cde Grace Mugabe, who was meant to officially open the indaba, did not attend due to pressing commitments; the conference was a resounding success with delegates expressing satisfaction with the turnout and deliberations. Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko, Cabinet ministers Cdes Chris Mushohwe (Information and Media), Simon Khaya Moyo (Policy Implementation), Tshinga Dube (War Veterans), Sithembiso Nyoni (SMEs), Samuel Undenge (Energy), deputy ministers Paddy Zhanda (Agriculture) Obedingwa Mguni (Home Affairs) and Thokozile Mathuthu (Information and Media), parliamentarians and the business community attended the highly subscribed meeting. There were fruitful discussions on ways of revitalising the city and we hope the resolutions made at the end of the conference will be put into action and implemented for the good of the city.

In a keynote address read on her behalf by Zanu-PF Women’s League deputy secretary, Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo, the First Lady, Cde Grace Mugabe, said Bulawayo is on a path to robust re-industrialisation having survived the devastating effects of economic sanctions that led to the collapse of many companies and loss of jobs.

She said numerous initiatives embraced under the government’s economic blueprint had started impacting positively on the city’s economy and called for speedy implementation of turnaround strategies that are anchored on technological innovation to ensure achievement of desired targets within a short space of time. Cde Mugabe said despite the challenges it has faced over the years, Bulawayo awaits a bright future because it still has vibrant think tanks that can steer it forward and it mustn’t be allowed to die.

“My message to Bulawayo is that of hope, resilience and innovation as the city moves forward to embracing new forms of development models that can impact positively on its development,” said the First Lady.

She said Bulawayo had distinguished itself through its resilience amid a challenging economic environment, which has seen it forge ahead to reclaim its traditional industrial status.

“Bulawayo does have its success story and it needs to be told to show that some companies have been innovative in moving forward without necessarily waiting for bailout from the government and they’ve built confidence around Bulawayo’s economy,” said Cde Mugabe as she cited companies like Arenel, Choppies, United Refineries and Afroflex as prime examples of success stories in the city.

While acknowledging that some firms had closed shop, Cde Mugabe saluted the resilience and survival spirit of those companies still standing. “These companies have contributed to employment creation and empowerment to families and the community at large,” she said. We agree with the First Lady and applaud the efforts of companies which have crafted successful turnaround strategies. We believe Bulawayo’s economy can only rise if key parastatals such as the National Railways of Zimbabwe and Cold Storage Company are revived.

The declaration of Bulawayo as a Special Economic Zone will also yield increased economic activity, liquidity and employment while spurring the revitalisation of local industry. The proposed urbanisation programme that will see Bulawayo establish a satellite town is set to open more investment and job opportunities. The conference laid a solid foundation for the growth of the city’s economy and we urge authorities to replicate such indabas in other cities. We hope foreign investors were buoyed by the outcome of the conference and will start showing interest in the city.

The camaraderie and frank exchange of ideas were refreshing with VP Mphoko leading the way by urging participants to name and shame corrupt officials in government. We hope the spirit and letter of the meeting will translate into tangible progress on the rejuvenation of the city.

The bold declaration by the First Lady that Bulawayo will not die should spur all those with the interests of the city at heart to put their shoulders to the wheel and work hard to ensure that this dream becomes a reality.