Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Business Hub
MASSIVE construction works are underway at the US$12 million Fairgrounds Retail Centre project within the Zimbabwe International Conference and Exhibition Smart City (ZICES), amid growing demand for absorption of more skilled workers.
The contractors have hinted at the need to rope in artisans in Bulawayo to ensure more local communities benefit from the investment boom. This comes at a time when investment in commercial property, infrastructure and industrial projects is gathering pace in the city, raising the need for accelerated technical and vocational training to ensure locals are equipped to take up specialised jobs.
The Terrace Africa Pvt Ltd development, which is being undertaken within the ZICES, is part of the broader redevelopment of the ZITF grounds and is expected to add a modern retail facility to the city’s growing investment landscape.
The project is among developments expected to create employment and business opportunities, highlighting the need to align technical and vocational education and training with the requirements of a rapidly expanding construction and investment sector, ensuring that local communities are adequately prepared to participate in major projects taking shape in the city.
As Bulawayo positions itself to attract more investment and revive its industrial and commercial base, availability of skilled labour will remain critical in translating new projects into broader employment and economic opportunities for residents.
This emerged during a tour of major construction projects in Bulawayo yesterday by Special Advisor to the President responsible for monitoring and implementation of Government programmes and projects, Dr Joram Gumbo, who expressed satisfaction with the progress of the developments and the commitment by contractors to meet deadlines.
Dr Gumbo said the transformation taking place at ZITF was significant, with the traditional exhibition grounds undergoing a major redevelopment.
“Well, this is a ZITF that we have known for a long, long time, but it’s now a new, completely, totally renovated ZITF grounds where we have got a new football field that is being constructed and a shopping mall that is also being constructed with other facilities that are also being made here,” he said. “It’s quite impressive and the people are working around the clock.”
The Government’s positive assessment comes as the Fairgrounds project and other developments are expected to contribute to the broader revitalisation of Bulawayo and strengthen its position as a commercial and investment centre.
Radx project manager Mr Kurauone Ngiranda said that the company had about 120 workers on site at the ZICES project, 80 of them locals, with employment expected to rise to about 300 workers at peak construction.
Dr Gumbo said the developers were targeting completion of sections of the project before April next year, while stressing the importance of support to ensure the works remain on schedule.
“They want to complete the project before April next year. Some of the sections, of course and not every component of the project.
“But what is most important and critical is that the companies that are working here are very determined to make sure that they finish up the project,” said Dr Gumbo
“And also from the management side, they actually need a lot of support, some of it from Government or any other well-wishers so that they can finish the project in time.
“Looking at time, at the moment, now that we are in September, the rains might come and disrupt the operation.
“So, it’s important and critical that everyone who can assist to make sure that this project is completed in time.”
Mr Ngiranda said that in the next six months, some of the shops would have been completed and tenants ready to occupy.
“The grandstand, which is the stadium, its structure would also be completed and ready to host the next ZITF exhibition,” he said.
Another contractor, Mandebvu Contracting regional manager Mr Patrick Wallet, said his company was handling the initial earthworks for the retail centre and sports stadium.
“The current scope of work that we are working on is the sports field. We have transformed the original arena into an 11,000 square metre sports field,” he said.
Mr Wallet said the works were progressing according to schedule, with the sports facility forming an important component of the redevelopment ahead of next year’s ZITF.
“We do know it forms a critical part of the trade fair that will be held next year and we are at an accelerated stage of making sure that we meet the deadlines,” he said.
“We are well within programme and within our deadlines and we just hope that everything continues to go smoothly going forward.”
The eventual capacity of the sports facility will be determined after the earthworks are completed and the subsequent structural design is finalised.
“At this juncture, we are unaware of the full capacity only because the initial earthworks pertaining to the sports field have to be accommodated and then lead to further structural design, which will determine the full capacity of the people,” he said.
The Fairgrounds Retail Centre forms part of wider investment and redevelopment initiatives at
ZITF aimed at unlocking the economic potential of Bulawayo.
Industry and Commerce Minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu laid the foundation stone for the retail centre in April, marking a major milestone in the project.
The state-of-the-art development is expected to provide a modern shopping complex comparable in scale and design to Harare’s Greenfields Retail Centre, which was recently commissioned by President Mnangagwa.
The development is also aligned with the Government’s Vision 2030 agenda, which seeks to drive infrastructure development, investment and inclusive economic growth.
