THE Second All-Stakeholders’ Conference that ended in Harare yesterday will be the main topic of discussion at the Bulawayo Agenda-organised annual Ideas Festival dubbed the “Battle of Ideas” in the city tomorrow.
Report by Staff Reporter
Bulawayo Agenda spokesperson Mmeli Dube said: “The festival starts tomorrow and in the morning until after lunch, we will have the Bulawayo Agenda 10th Anniversary celebrations. We are going to have a street bash and will block 8th Avenue for the celebrations. We will have all leadership in Matabeleland in attendance. We have invited MPs, ministers, leaders of political parties, community leaders and councillors. The programme will be aimed at reflecting on the journey that Bulawayo Agenda has travelled in the past 10 years in the democratisation of Zimbabwe.”
Dube said the discussion will be dominated by the outcome of the Second All-Stakeholders’ Conference and implications on the referendum and elections at the Small City Hall.
“We have invited MDC secretary-general Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, MDC-T deputy spokesperson Joel Gabbuza, a Zanu PF representative, whom the party is yet to confirm, and another speaker from Zapu,” he said. Dube added other discussions will focus on national healing and the water situation in the country’s second largest city.
“On Friday, we will have a democracy fare where civil society organisations will be showcasing their work and interacting with the public. In the afternoon, there will be another battle of ideas focusing on national healing, peace and the prospects of holding elections,” he said.
“Our guest speakers will include historian Sabelo Gatsheni Ndlovu, NGO Forum director Abel Chikomo, and pastors Ray Motsi and Useni Sibanda. There will also be representatives from Jomic and the organ on national healing.”
Water Resources minister Samuel Sipepa Nkomo, Bulawayo mayor Thaba Moyo, NMZWP chairman Donald Khumalo and residents’ representatives were also lined up to discuss the critical water situation in the city.
