Chronicle Editor
Vusumuzi Dube, Municipal Reporter
PLANS for the redevelopment of Bulawayo’s oldest suburb, Makokoba, into a modern high rise suburb are on course with the local authority calling for tenders for investors to embark on the ambitious project.
The suburbs redevelopment is meant to create a densified residential area that supports and complements the activities of the Central Business District (CBD). Over the years, infrastructure in the suburb has experienced a sharp decline in standards with reports that in some circumstances two or more families are sharing a single room.
This saw the local authority announcing the plan to redevelop the suburb in what they termed the Makokoba Local Priority Plan.
Responding to questions from Sunday News, the local authority’s senior public relations officer, Mrs Nesisa Mpofu said they had since called for tenders which will be closed on 4 April.
“The Redevelopment Plan for Makokoba has currently been put out to tender. The closing date for the tender is 4 April 2019.
“The local subject plan for the redevelopment of Makokoba is to provide a strategic planning environment that will meet future needs and challenges for a responsive and sustainable Makokoba redevelopment,” said Mrs Mpofu.
She said council was not deterred by the economic challenges being experienced in the country as the project was still on a planning phase.
“The project is at the planning phases in preparation for the inevitable upturn implementation. The time is ideal for the local plan to ensure the implementation of the project and we believe the project will subsequently pick up the economy of the city,” said the council spokesperson.
According to the plan its crux will be to utilise, so far as possible, all the existing available land within the current municipal area, prior to developing new land outside the existing boundaries.
“Town planning wants to prioritise the Makokoba suburb for a local plan with intentions for densification and accommodating more people. According to the 2012 Census Report Bulawayo has a population of 655 675.
“The city has 167 092 households and an average of 3,9 people per household, the population growth for Bulawayo 2002-2012 is negative 0,3.
“Ward seven which is Makokoba has a population of 17 910 and has 4 802 households which has an average of 3,7 people per household,” reads parts of a council report detailing the project
The expansion exercise is also aimed at establishing an area which accommodates certain types of income generating activities that is not obtrusive to the predominant residential zoning.
The local authority also further aims to minimise negative environmental impacts such as excessive noise, air pollution, vibrations and vehicular intrusions; regulate traffic movement and reduce traffic conflict and to provide a strategic planning environment that will meet future needs and challenges for a responsive and sustainable Makokoba redevelopment.
“The proximity of Makokoba to the CBD has some inherent advantages for the local population such as minimal transport costs and access to high order services, however, the age and condition of infrastructure has limited its contribution to the fiscal wealth of the city.
“A variety of funding options are to be explored including partnerships and Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) arrangements with both local and foreign developers, redevelopment and densification are the key to the project.
“It should also be noted that the aspect of shared infrastructure is critical in the proposal,” reads the council report.
Historically, Makokoba was the first black African township in the city, it has been termed the home of arts and culture, with the Amakhosi Cultural Centre located just in the vicinity.
The suburb was named after the actions of Mr Fallon, the then native commissioner, who used to walk around with a stick.
The name comes from the word ukukhokhoba which in the local Ndebele language means “bending and walking with a stick”. It was referring to Mr Fallon as “the little old man who walks with a stick”.
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