Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
The Beitbridge Business Expo has developed a comprehensive masterplan to construct a modern showground on 26 hectares of land where the local municipality holds 13 hectares in a move set to redefine the border town’s events and investment landscape.
Expo chairperson, Dr Anna Muleya, announced the milestone on Saturday during the third edition of the Beitbridge Business Expo Corporate and People’s Choice Awards.
She told dignitaries, including the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe, that the facility will be modelled on the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair to match Beitbridge’s rapid transformation.
The showgrounds are being developed under a partnership between the Business Expo, the local municipality and other stakeholders and it is one of several infrastructure initiatives being pushed through public-private partnerships as Beitbridge pursues city status.
With land secured and a masterplan in place, Dr Muleya said the next phase is to attract investment for phased infrastructure development.
“We remain deeply grateful to our strategic partner, the Municipality of Beitbridge, for the allocation of land that has given tangible expression to our long-term vision,” she said.
“We have since secured the site, drilled a borehole, constructed a caretaker’s cabin, and developed a master plan. We are now preparing a marketing compendium to present the envisaged infrastructure and the opportunities available to exhibitors and investors.”
The showgrounds which follow the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) model are envisioned as a permanent home for trade exhibitions, agricultural shows, civic events and regional investor forums.
Dr Muleya said proceeds from Saturday’s awards will directly contribute to construction, making the event more than a celebration of excellence. It is also a fundraising platform for a strategic community asset.
Several businesspeople based in Beitbridge including Minister Nguluvhe have since pledged support in the form of material to establish the showgrounds.
“This evening also advances a strategic developmental objective for our town, as the proceeds from this event will contribute towards the construction of the Beitbridge Showgrounds, an important community asset that will enhance our capacity to host business, agricultural and civic events at a higher standard,” said Dr Muleya.
She said the expo’s vision is to champion dialogue, partnership and action that position Beitbridge as a vibrant 24-hour economy.
The official said over the years Beitbridge town has been viewed mainly as a transit point to South Africa.
The new showgrounds, she said, will help shift that narrative by creating space for local innovation, manufacturing and enterprise to be showcased year-round.
“As the Beitbridge Business Expo, we aspire to see every sector participate meaningfully in shaping local prosperity and to witness Beitbridge evolve from a town defined primarily by transit and consumption into a flourishing centre of production, enterprise and opportunity,” she said.
Dr Muleya said the project aligns with National Development Strategy 2 and the Government’s whole-of-government approach.
She also commended the Government for rationalising licensing, removing duplicative requirements and reducing regulatory charges to ease the cost of doing business.
Dr Muleya said this year’s awards process was deliberately strengthened to boost credibility and that they had refined the voting platform, expanded recognition categories and subjected procedures to a rigorous audit.
She highlighted that successive expos have widened the platform for emerging enterprises and diverse sectors, while encouraging exhibitors to make offerings accessible and responsive to community needs.
