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By Angeline Zimbwani Mikiri
The Masvingo business Cocktail which was held in Masvingo’s Provincial Capital recently saw the business people converging at the local hotel to articulate strategies on how best to transform the ancient city into a world-class metropolitan.
The Cocktail was graced by Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa, City of Masvingo Town Clerk, Mr. Andrew Chekani, Director N.Richards Group, and the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Chairman for Masvingo Province, Mrs. Teclar Wight of the Zimbabwe- Director Forum.
Also in attendance was The City of Masvingo Housing Director Mr. Levison Nzvura, the Finance Director, Mr. Danister Jori, the Environmental and Health Director, Mr. Ngonidzashe Mapamula, the Town Planner Mrs. Phoebe Nyika, Mr. Fortune Mawoyo, the manager of Nyaradzo Group for Masvingo.
The cocktail was sponsored by Nyaradzo Group. Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce Masvingo Province. Andrew Chekani through his PowerPoint presentation highlighted a great need for the private sector to work with The City of Masvingo so that the vision can be a reality.
Teclar Wight emphasized a great need to open communication lines with the Diaspora. The Town Planner Mrs. Phoebe clarified areas of investments in the City and urged those in need of serious investments to visit the City Council. Engineer Mukaratirwa showed the zeal to transform the City of Masvingo.
“We are in a process of coming up with an economic development policy office. The office will mainly deal with investments and economic development issues and this is how serious we are as a council.
“Having been to Dubai recently, I learnt we have more resources than Dubai but Dubai is a world-class city. It is actually a desert but they have transformed their City. Commitment will turn our City into a world class metropolitan City by 2030,” he added.
Engineer Mukaratirwa emphasized that they are more than ready to bring greatness to the City.
“The strategic plan which was drafted by stakeholders must become a reality. What is needed is to effect collaborative efforts from all parties involved,” he said.
Masvingo City is strategically located and equidistant to 4 major Cities in Zimbabwe namely Mutare, Harare, Beitbridge, and Bulawayo with an average distance of 300 km from Masvingo to all these cities.
It is a gateway from Cape to Cairo by road. With a historical background of being the first and oldest city in Zimbabwe, Masvingo City is near the UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Great Zimbabwe Monument which is 30km from the City of Masvingo.
With vast water abundance from Lake Mutirikwi which can be utilized for tourism and agricultural purposes, Masvingo is one of the cities that is still producing the cleanest water that one can drink from the tap. What is left is now is to walk the talk.
If the Council is ready and the investors are ready then there is no way Masvingo City cannot be a world-class City by 2030. The radical approach to this intervention is of paramount importance should we need to match cities like Dubai. It’s possible. It’s doable. It only requires commitment.