Online Reporter
Mkhululi Ncube, Zimpapers Writer
BULAWAYO City Council (BCC)’s parking management partner, Tendy Three Investments (TTI), has donated food hampers worth US$90 000 to 2 500 underprivileged households in Bulawayo and the rural province of Matabeleland North, bringing festive cheer to vulnerable communities.
In Bulawayo, 1 500 food hamper packages were distributed to beneficiaries identified by the Department of Social Development, including people living with disabilities, the elderly and orphans, while the remainder went to communities in Hwange and Binga.
Bulawayo deputy mayor, Councillor Edwin Ndlovu, expressed gratitude to TTI for the donation, saying the gesture had brought smiles and relief to vulnerable members of society during the festive season.
“The beneficiaries drawn from across the city will have a decent festive season. We hail TTI for this generous gesture and urge other companies operating in the city to also give back to the needy,” said Clr Ndlovu.
He also commended the company for its role in restoring order and sanity in the central business district through improved parking management.
TTI managing director, Mr Lizwe Mabuza, said the donation formed part of the company’s contribution to the Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund.
“This is our way of bringing smiles to communities. Each package is worth around US$40, and we are also catering for rural areas in places such as Binga and Hwange so that the Christmas cheer is shared beyond the city,” he said.
Mr Mabuza said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to social responsibility in communities where it operates.
Turning to parking management issues, Mr Mabuza said TTI is at present managing about 60 percent of the city’s parking spaces, noting that enforcement in some areas remains a challenge due to poor road conditions. He, however, noted significant improvements in compliance by motorists.
“We now have a compliance rate of about 90 percent, and the number of vehicles being clamped has declined significantly. We currently clamp between 100 and 120 vehicles per day, down from about 300 to 400 previously,” said Mr Mabuza.
“This shows that motorists are beginning to understand and respect the city’s by-laws and parking regulations.”
Mr Mabuza added that TTI employs about 400 local people, mostly youths, contributing to job creation and economic empowerment in the city.
TTI was contracted by the City of Bulawayo as part of efforts to improve parking management, enhance revenue collection and decongest the central business district.
The Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund, to which the donation contributes, is an annual initiative aimed at mobilising resources from corporates and individuals to support vulnerable groups during the festive season, complementing the Government and council social welfare programmes.
derick.khumalo