Airforce museum set for Byo

Vusumuzi Dube, Senior Reporter
THE Airforce of Zimbabwe is set to establish a museum in Bulawayo, a move which will go a long way in boosting tourism in the city while also aid in the educational sector.

This comes in the aftermath of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day celebrations where President Mnangagwa emphasised the need for the public to appreciate the rich history of community assistance by the forces under which the Airforce of Zimbabwe (AFZ) falls under.

According to the latest council report AFZ applied for a 1,6-hectare piece of land at Emhlangeni, for the establishment of the museum, which the Bulawayo City Council duly granted.

“The application had been circulated to municipal departments and other service organizations and no objections were received. It was explained that the land applied for had been zoned institutional.

Various subdivisions on the land had been done to establish universities. A museum qualified. It was for both educational purposes and tourism.

“The Town Lands and Planning committee had recommended that remainder of Stand 16453 Bulawayo Township- Emhlangeni, measuring 1,6 hectares in extent be leased to the Airforce of Zimbabwe for the establishment of a Museum at US$125 or $8611,25 respectively and a minimum building clause being a plinth area of 500 square metres. Should the applicant opt to rent, such rental shall be subject to review at the pleasure of the council,” reads the council report.

When established the museum will become the second of its type in Zimbabwe after the Zimbabwe Military Museum in Gweru which serves as the country’s National Army and Aviation Museum.