Chronicle Editor
Vusumuzi Dube, Online News Editor
THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) will host a delegation from the City of Polokwane in South Africa during the upcoming Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) as the two cities work to cement ties towards the signing of a twinning arrangement.
BCC already also has a twinning agreement with the City of Ethekwini in South Africa. According to a council report, the local authority will not only host the Polokwane delegation but the two cities will also jointly exhibit during the annual trade showcase. The two cities signed a Memorandum of Understanding in October 2012.
“The City of Bulawayo has invited Polokwane Municipality to participate at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) which will be held from Tuesday, 25 April 2023 to Saturday, 29 April 2023. The city has seen it fit for Polokwane to showcase with Bulawayo at the trade fair as both organisations have been working together to reinforce the twinning and sister city relationship,” reads the report.
The joint exhibition will reportedly be linked around the two cities’ MoU, mainly focusing on the promotion of tourism and cultural relations within the territories of the two municipalities.
“In the MoU, priority project areas for collaboration also include the promotion of agro and other industrial processing industries between the two municipalities, promotion of commerce, trade and investment between the two municipalities, transport and logistics, movement of goods and services, education and sports development as well as the exchange of information on organisation of municipal structures and administration for improved service delivery. It is anticipated that this opportunity will reinforce Bulawayo’s commitment to twinning with the City of Polokwane and ensure the operationalisation of the existing MoU between the two cities. The visit will also present an opportunity to develop an action plan to escalate the relationship,” reads the report.
The City of Polokwane is set to be represented by its council chairperson for the portfolio committee for local economic development, land use, and spatial planning, Councillor Mashangoane, director for planning and economic development, Ms Molatelo Mashego, and the assistant manager-investment promotion and tourism.
“In line with the MoU, the city of Bulawayo will be responsible for accommodation, meals, and ground transport for the delegates during their stay in the city. To ensure the successful hosting of the Polokwane visitors. It would be key for the councillor responsible for twinning in the City of Bulawayo to accompany them in their various programme areas as well as the relevant members of staff,” reads the report.
Besides of the City of Ethekwini, Bulawayo also has a twinning arrangement with the City of Aberdeen in Scotland.
Online Reporter