Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe,Zimpapers Writer
GOVERNMENT has reaffirmed its commitment to modernising Zimbabwe’s sporting infrastructure, including the refurbishment of White City Stadium in Bulawayo, as part of a broader Cabinet-endorsed national strategy targeting key urban stadiums.
Responding to questions in the National Assembly raised by Emakhandeni-Luveve legislator, Discent Bajila on Wednesday, Deputy Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Emily Jesaya, said White City is among several stadiums across the country earmarked for refurbishment, with a clear framework for collaboration, financing and procurement already in motion.
“This facility is of strategic importance to our national sports development goals and our vision to upgrade Zimbabwe’s sporting infrastructure to modern standards,” Deputy Minister Jesaya said.
On the nature of cooperation with the Bulawayo City Council (BCC), which owns the facility, the Deputy Minister said a structured and systemic partnership is being forged.
“In cooperation with Bulawayo City Council, the Government acknowledges that White City Stadium is owned by the Bulawayo City Council. Accordingly, the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, working in coordination with the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, is engaging Bulawayo City Council in a structured partnership, systemic cooperation, with a view to consolidating the roles of central Government and the local authority in the planning, implementation and long-term maintenance of the stadium.
“This cooperative model is in line with the broader Cabinet resolution which encourages collaboration between central Government and local authorities in the development and refurbishment of sports infrastructure across the country.”
Providing an estimate of the financial outlay, the Deputy Minister revealed that initial assessments peg the combined refurbishment cost of Barbourfields, Luveve, and White City Stadium at approximately US$10 million.
The figure, however, remains provisional pending the development of detailed designs and a full bill of quantities, to be finalised in consultation with the Ministry of Local Government and professional consultants.
Under the Cabinet-approved strategy, the Government is actively encouraging private sector participation through various financing models such as Public-Private Partnerships, Build, Operate and Transfer models and FIFA forward funding mechanisms.
These will help share the financial burden while ensuring the timely and quality delivery of work, she added.
Addressing concerns about the transparency of contractor selection, Deputy Minister Jesaya assured Parliament that the process will strictly adhere to procurement laws.
“The Ministry assures this House that all procurement activities related to the White City Stadium project will strictly adhere to the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act [Chapter 22]; Standard tendering procedures, standard tendering in procedures including open competitive bidding, transparency evaluation and engagement with the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe.”
