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Ethekwini Mayor Clr James Nxumalo

Mashudu Netsianda Senior Reporter
SOUTH Africa’s Ethekwini Municipality, which runs the city of Durban, has pledged to play a leading role in stimulating economic development in Bulawayo following the twinning of the two cities in 2012.

Speaking during a reception organised by the Bulawayo City Council on Monday evening, Ethekwini Municipality executive mayor, Councillor James Nxumalo, said he was convinced that the twinning arrangement would address some of the socio-economic challenges facing the two cities.

“The only thing we can do is to stimulate the economy so that investors can come and by so doing you will be in a position to create jobs and address social problems,” said Clr Nxumalo.

“We are convinced that (through the twinning agreement) we can learn and support each other because we share similar challenges, which include unemployment, poverty, inequalities and a backlog on infrastructures.”

Clr Nxumalo said in an effort to promote investment in Bulawayo, Ethekwini Municipality would next year send a business delegation to the city to explore business opportunities.

“We want to lead a business delegation next year so that we can explore business opportunities. We also want to bring our people here so that they share experiences with Bulawayo’s young people in terms of cultural activities and sports,” he said.

Clr Nxumalo said his council would assist Bulawayo in upgrading sanitation facilities and recreational parks.

“You have a beautiful city and through our partnership we can assist where we can especially on water and sanitation facilities. Our technocrats will start working on that aspect as a matter of urgency as the agreements must bear fruit and not say it was just a mere co-operation,” he said.

Bulawayo Mayor, Clr Martin Moyo said there was a need to strengthen ties between Durban and Bulawayo.

“Our relationship is a special one borne from a historical and cultural foundation. Many of us will recall the kind of assistance extended to us by Ethekwini Municipality on water and sanitation projects, the call centre and many other initiatives that have made us leaders in local governance in the country,” said Clr Moyo.

He urged the South African business community to invest in Bulawayo, saying the city had a lot of opportunities that could be exploited.

“As it stands, 2014 saw the introduction of the Durban Business Chamber to their Bulawayo counterparts. Our hope is that these business engagements will ultimately lead to mutually beneficial partnerships,” said Clr Moyo.

Nxumalo, who was accompanied by his delegation that included Ethekwini Municipality’s head of water and sanitation, Ednick Msweli, senior manager for international relations, Bongiwe Mkhize and mayoral protocol officer Siyabonga Nala, was earlier taken on familiarisation tour of the city.

As part of the twinning arrangement between Ethekwini Municipality and the City of Bulawayo, Ethekwini Water and Sanitation officials visited Bulawayo at the end of 2009 to assess the status of water and wastewater systems. Through cooperation with Bosch Stemele, the two cities identified the need for a Water and Wastewater master plan.

Funding was sought from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in South Africa to undertake a water and wastewater master planning study for the City of Bulawayo. DTI approved funding of 55 percent of the costs for the study with the remaining 45 percent being funded by the Bulawayo City Council.