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First lady Cde Grace Mugabe

Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
THE stage has been set for the two-day Bulawayo Zim-Asset Conference at which the First Lady Cde Grace Mugabe is expected to be the guest of honour.

Fifteen out of the 17 invited ministers had confirmed their attendance by afternoon yesterday for the Friday and Saturday event at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair’s Hall 3.

The ministers will explain how the city was and can continue benefiting from the government’s programmes.

The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Bulawayo Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo said the First Lady, as the mother of the nation, will lead cabinet ministers at the much anticipated conference.

She said people should brace for a lively interaction between Ministers and residents.

“Everything has been set up. We’re ready to host the First Lady who is our guest of honour. Of the 17 invited ministers 15 have confirmed their participation. Three of the 15 ministers will be represented by their deputy ministers. The three ministers apologised for not attending as they’re out of the country,” said Moyo.

She said the invited ministers are expected to bring along officials from their ministries to answer some of the questions.

“This conference will be attended by people from the grassroots so we expect ministers to bring some of their officials who’ll interact with residents and demystify some of the technical terms,” she said.

Moyo said the conference will run under the theme “Consolidating Bulawayo’s Growth through Zim-Asset.”

“Everything has been organised and we’re ready to host the First Lady,” said Moyo.

About 600 delegates are expected to attend the conference.

Moyo said the conference was organised after it was realised that Bulawayo residents rarely get a platform to engage government officials.

She said this has deprived residents first-hand information on the government’s programmes and policies.