Muzila calls Bulawayo for partnership
Lindiwe Mozola | Thursday July 23, 2015 12:57
Speaking at a council dinner hosted in honour of the visiting delegates from Bulawayo at Marang Hotel last week Friday, Muzila said that through twining, massive investments could be done to boost the economy of both countries and improve the welfare of its people. She also said that it would bolster the city’s Vision 2022 project aimed at turning the city into an investment hub.
“We want our city by 2022 to be the city of choice that is why we are busy face-lifting it through the interchange that will take place very soon and Tonota -Francistown road which is almost complete. All of this we cannot achieve alone as Francistown hence calling for your partnership,” she said.
Muzila implored the visitors to become partners and investors on yet another vision of the city ‘Francistown Investment Forum’ (FIF), saying that this will go a long way into boosting the economies of both countries as well as promoting and empowering human capital.
She said this could be achieved through twinning and also Francistown could copy and benchmark on how things are done in Bulawayo more especial programmes they have in place in empowering women in their country.
“I believe in Bulawayo there is a place called Mzilikazi where women empower themselves through pottery and other art work and our women here can learn one or two things from that,” she said.
Muzila also said that she was impressed by how organised the flee market is in Bulawayo when she visited earlier this year noting that people with different merchandise met in one place to sell their products something that is rare in the city centre of Francistown.
Muzila added that the council of Francistown generates its income through the revenue base rates and service levy however those systems are not adequate in meeting their needs and development of the city therefore requested relevant officers from Bulawayo to come and teach officers here how to manage them.
Deputy Mayor of Bulawayo Gift Banda said that he was impressed by how Francistown had developed adding that this shows the commitment and hard work of all involved stakeholders. Banda said that twinning is essential because there is not country that can develop without partnerships with other countries to sustain its economy.
“We are looking forward in partnering with Francistown where we can, as much as we expect the city to partner with us. We are also impressed at the way the government of Botswana is taking care of its people through human empowerment programmes such as Ipelegeng and poverty eradication projects,” he said.
Banda added that it is commendable that the city is striving to change its image, and once these were in place, the city would definitely be an investment hub and a holiday destination choice.