Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
THE newly established Gwanda Travel Centre has brought much-needed order to the Matabeleland South provincial capital’s central business district (CBD), easing congestion and improving safety for commuters and motorists.
The facility, which was recently commissioned, was developed through a public-private partnership between Gwanda Municipality and local investor Mr Cabangani Dylan Mangena, as part of efforts to modernise infrastructure and improve the image of the mining town.
The travel centre was officially commissioned by the Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe.
The modern facility houses offices, shops and vendors’ stalls, while solar-powered lighting, paved walkways and proper waiting sheds have been installed. It now serves as a central bus terminus for public service vehicles plying the Gwanda–Bulawayo route, cross-border transporters and local routes.
Before the development of the new travel centre, Gwanda relied on a dilapidated bus terminus that lacked basic amenities such as water, ablution facilities and sheltered waiting areas. The situation resulted in public service vehicles operating with little control, with commuters often forced to wait by the roadside, exposing them to accidents and harsh weather conditions.
A commuter from Garanyemba, Mrs Prudence Ncube, said the new facility has transformed the travelling experience.
“It used to be difficult because we had to stand by the roadside waiting for buses, as some did not pick passengers at the old terminus,” she said.
“Now there is a proper rank. Even if we arrive earlier than the bus, we can sit on the benches and wait. There are sheds that protect us from the rain and the sun.”
Mrs Ncube also welcomed the availability of shops within the travel centre.
“There are places where we can buy groceries and other items such as clothes. The buses are no longer competing for customers, which makes travelling safer and more organised,” she said.
Transport operators have also welcomed the development. Mr Trust Tshuma, who operates on the Bulawayo–Manama route, said the travel centre has reduced the use of illegal pick-up points.
“We are now having more passengers coming directly to the rank instead of waiting at undesignated areas. This has given us a proper working space and has also beautified the town,” he said.
Gwanda mayor, Alderman Thulani Moyo, said the travel centre is part of a wider infrastructure development drive aimed at improving service delivery in line with the Government’s “Call to Action —
No Compromise to Service Delivery” blueprint launched by President Mnangagwa in November 2023.
The blueprint outlines measures for local authorities to improve efficiency and accountability as the country works towards attaining upper-middle-income status by 2030.
“In a bid to restore order in the CBD, council has embarked on a drive to attract investors to develop bus terminuses, ranks and vendors’ markets,” said Alderman Moyo.
He said the municipality recently upgraded a vendors’ market, which now accommodates about 350 traders, as part of efforts to decongest the town centre.
“For operators to maintain standard operations, they must be provided with proper working spaces. That is why we engaged development partners to help us achieve this goal,” he said.
“These projects are part of the modernisation and infrastructure development of Gwanda. Since the establishment of this travel centre, we have seen significant improvement in the operations of transporters.”
Alderman Moyo said the bus terminus now operates under a co-ordinated and regulated system, with only registered vehicles allowed to rank after paying the required fees, a move aimed at enhancing commuter safety and accountability.
He added that upgrading urban infrastructure remains key to attracting investment and supporting economic growth in the provincial capital.
—@DubeMatutu
