Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo, Zimpapers Business Hub
Bulawayo City has applauded the growing private–public partnerships between the local authority and the private sector, which have resulted in improved service delivery and the provision of affordable housing for residents.
This was highlighted during the National Real Estate Day commemorations held yesterday in Bulawayo, where the city’s Deputy Mayor, Councillor Edwin Ndlovu, was the guest of honour.
In his keynote address, Cllr Ndlovu said such partnerships embody the spirit of inclusivity and shared responsibility, where every stakeholder contributes towards the common goal of ensuring that every Zimbabwean has access to safe, decent and affordable housing.
He said the challenge of housing cannot be solved by a single institution, but requires collective effort, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to building a better Zimbabwe.
“We have witnessed the rollout of innovative partnerships between local authorities and the private sector, with the City of Bulawayo taking a leading role in championing these collaborations alongside private developers and financial institutions,” said Cllr Ndlovu.
“These strategic alliances have brought renewed hope by driving investment, improving service delivery, and expanding access to affordable housing opportunities for our citizens.”
Running under the theme “Affordable Housing: A Right for Every Zimbabwean,” the commemorations brought together players in the real estate sector, representatives from the local authority, and Government officials from the deeds office and other departments.
Cllr Ndlovu urged real estate professionals to uphold integrity, innovation and inclusivity in their work, saying housing is about more than shelter — it represents dignity, identity and belonging.
“When families have stable homes, children perform better in school, communities become safer, and economies grow stronger,” he said. “Affordable housing fosters dignity. It breaks the cycle of poverty, reduces inequality, and builds the sense of shared destiny that binds us as Zimbabweans. Therefore, every dollar invested in affordable housing is an investment in peace, in health, and in the future of our nation.”
He said housing should not be viewed as a privilege but as a human right and a national responsibility, calling for strengthened partnerships to close the housing gap.
“Let us strengthen partnerships across all sectors to close the housing gap and realise a vision where everyone owns a home,” he said. “The journey towards affordable housing for every Zimbabwean may be long, but it is a journey worth taking together.”
In his remarks, Real Estate Institute of Zimbabwe (REIZ) president, Mr Desire Dube, said the real estate sector plays a key role in driving economic growth through investment and job creation.
“We need shelter — and that shelter is real estate. But when you go a step further, that real estate is an industry, an economy that employs various people,” said Mr Dube. “The sector has several segments. Builders, for instance, are contributing to real estate. We should not look down upon them because they contribute to the basic need we all share — shelter.”
Mr Dube also commended the Government’s initiative to issue title deeds, noting that it enhances investor confidence and promotes real estate as a viable form of investment, beyond just shelter.
