Online Reporter
Vusumuzi Dube, Deputy Radar Editor
THE City of Bulawayo made notable progress in infrastructure development and urban planning throughout 2025, despite continuing to grapple with persistent challenges in essential services.
Acting Mayor Councillor Edwin Ndlovu said while it went extremely well under the circumstances, the council could have done better.
He highlighted several completed and ongoing projects shaping the city’s landscape and improving the quality of life for its residents.
Among the key achievements were road rehabilitation efforts, including the completion of Luveve Road in Makokoba and George Silundika Street. Work is underway on Lobengula Street, which is expected to enhance connectivity and ease vehicle movement within the city. “In terms of city planning, we successfully did our masterplan which will guide development of the city,” Clr Ndlovu said.
The acting Mayor also pointed to progress in expanding residential areas noting the commissioning of serviced stands in Luveve North and Mahatshula East.
Clr Ndlovu said hundreds of residents are now proud owners of serviced residential stands.
To improve services, the city increased its refuse collection fleet and received additional fire tenders from development partners.
Clr Ndlovu said the council looks forward to improved service delivery next year.
Despite these accomplishments, water supply shortages remain the city’s most pressing concern. The failure to consistently provide water has also affected sewer reticulation systems thereby creating challenges for sanitation and public health.
“We hope to reduce non-revenue water. We asked for assistance from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. We are also in the process of forming a water utility, which we hope will get funding to rehabilitate our water supply system. We also hope Zinwa and Glassblock Dam consortium will finalise the issue of constructing the dam which will be another supply dam for the city,” said Clr Ndlovu.
He said plans were underway to construct the Bhaktas vending site and also relocate vendors from 5th Avenue. “We also intend to get partners to renovate our stadiums so that they match international standards,” he said.
Clr Ndlovu said the city needs more hotels and shopping malls.
He also said council intends to upgrade Renkini Bus Terminus used by long distance buses.
The acting Mayor noted how the local subject plans completed this year are reshaping parts of the city, particularly in the eastern suburbs where new commercial centres are being designated. This zoning is expected to spur investments in hotels, shopping malls and high-rise buildings.
On road development, the city is planning to establish its own batching plant for tar to accelerate road maintenance and reduce dependence on external suppliers.
Recognising the scale of infrastructure needs, Clr Ndlovu called for increased collaboration through public-private partnerships (PPPs) and build-operate-transfer (BOT) arrangements.
He highlighted the potential of these models, especially in solid waste management and waste-to-energy projects to bring expertise and investment to the city.
“We have a new vision: City of Kings, a smart and sustainable city by 2030. Where we talk of community engagement and partnership to develop our city,” Clr Ndlovu said.
“We are going green hence we talk of being sustainable. We intend to be paperless by 2030 and we are also going to be more involved in climate change mitigation activities.”
Clr Ndlovu further emphasised that the city’s ability to deliver improved services depends heavily on residents’ cooperation.
“We have provided about 3 000 residential stands, improved water delivery, rehabilitated roads, and upgraded the sewer system. But all can be achieved if residents also play their part by paying their bills,” he said.
“There are some residents who vandalise council infrastructure, and we politely ask them to desist from that. Also, there is now a foreign tendency of littering. We kindly request that this bad behaviour should not find place in Bulawayo.”
