Zim, SA urged to resuscitate projects

that were initiated under the Trans-Limpopo Spatial Development Initiative to boost economic development and trade between the two countries, an official has said.

Speaking during a meeting between South African and Zimbabwean delegates at the Matabeleland South Provincial Governor’s office in Gwanda recently, the Premier for Limpopo Province in South Africa, Mr Cassel Mathale said there was a need for the two countries to resuscitate developmental projects that have been lagging behind.

He said the development of such projects spearheaded by Matabeleland South Province and Limpopo Province would see Zimbabwe and South Africa growing economically a move expected to ultimately benefit the African continent as well.

“We can grow our economies from provincial to national and national to regional and by so doing opening up trade opportunities in the Sadc region.

“I believe that if we can work together to implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries in 2002, we can do better than what we have done so far. We should forget about the borders and continue working together because we are one people,” said Mr Mathale.

In 2002, the Provincial Governors of Matabeleland South, North and the then Mayor of Bulawayo signed a MoU with the Premier of Limpopo Province to create an economic development corridor from Limpopo to Victoria Falls.

After the signing of the MoU, the four principals formed the Joint Provincial Council (JPC) and the Joint Executive Council (JEC), which work hand in hand with various sub-committees from various sectors of the economy.

A number of projects were identified under the initiative, which included the setting up of a One Stop Border Post in Beitbridge, as an anchor project that was solely developed and financed by governments of the two countries.

There are also sectorial projects, which are developed and financed by the business community from the various sectors of the economy.

The chairman of the Trans-Limpopo Spatial Development Initiative, Mr Obert Sibanda, expressed concern over the lack of progress in the Trans-Limpopo Spatial Development Initiative. “Since the signing of the MoU, the initiative went to sleep up until 2004 when we started holding meetings where we came up with a work plan, which identified a number of projects.

“One of the milestones we have achieved is the setting up of the Geographical Information System (GIS), which was done in both countries. This side we are trying to come up with a map used in identifying where to find what and where,” he said.

Mr Sibanda, who is also the past president of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, said to consolidate the relations between the countries, every year a delegation of people from Zimbabwe actively participated in some of SA’s national celebrations.

He said although the initiative had in the past years faced several challenges, there was determination to see that it yielded positive results to benefit both Zimbabwe and SA. “We therefore call upon our principals to whip us because we believe this initiative is the only way that can benefit both provinces. We need to resuscitate the projects as a matter of urgency so that we can as well open up markets for both sides,” said Mr Sibanda.

Some of the twinning arrangements have been successful such as that of the Zimbabwe Investment Authority (ZIA) and the Trade Investment Limpopo (TIL). ZimTrade and TIL are still negotiating the signing the MoU.

Speaking at the same meeting, Matabeleland South Provincial Governor and Resident Minister Angeline Masuku commended the Limpopo Province for its dedication towards ensuring the developmental projects were revived.

She echoed the same sentiments for the need to breathe life into the projects under the initiative.

“We appreciate your effort in trying to make the MoU work and if we continue working together, we will be able to improve our economies,” she said.

The meeting was also attended by the Limpopo Province First Lady Mrs Mokgadi Mathale, a high-powered delegation from SA and Zimbabwe’s senior Government officials.