OFFICIALS from Francistown visited Bulawayo last week to explore a twinning arrangement, with both cities agreeing to establish a joint committee to drive co-operation in trade, tourism, agriculture and service delivery.
The proposed partnership aims to deepen cross-border co-operation between the two southern African cities by creating structured collaboration in economic development, governance and public services, while strengthening existing ties between Zimbabwe and Botswana.
Francistown is Botswana’s second-largest city, a position mirrored by Bulawayo in Zimbabwe.
During the meeting, Bulawayo officials outlined possible areas of collaboration, including trade and investment, service delivery, tourism, health, governance, institutional strengthening, sports development and agriculture.
The Botswana delegation was led by Francistown mayor Gaone Majere and included a councillor and an administrative team headed by acting town clerk Pedzani Selwana-Mahama.
Bulawayo deputy mayor councillor Edwin Ndlovu, representing mayor David Coltart, led a team that included town clerk Christopher Dube and the city’s management staff.
Keep Reading
- Mr President, you missed the opportunity to be the veritable voice of conscience
- ED to commission new-look border post
- Zanu PF ready for congress
- EU slams Zim over delayed reforms
Dube said it was important for the two municipalities to establish a defined working relationship that took advantage of the Zimbabwe-Botswana Bi-National Commission agreements presided over by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his Botswana counterpart Duma Gideon Boko earlier last week.
“It is crucial that Bulawayo and Francistown establish a defined working relationship,” he said.
“We must leverage the Zimbabwe-Botswana Bi-National Commission agreements presided over by President Mnangagwa and President Boko to turn goodwill into tangible results for our residents.”
The two cities agreed to set up a joint committee to develop a framework that will guide co-operation between Bulawayo and Francistown.
During the visit, the delegation toured the Bulawayo Chamber of SMEs, the Fire Station and the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.
In a related development, the City of Bulawayo on Friday hosted a delegation from Botswana’s North-East district which covers the area from the Ramokgwebane border to Francistown comprising of 43 villages who paid a courtesy visit to the deputy mayor as they seek to establish relations with the city.
“We welcome our neighbours from Botswana’s North-East district. With 43 villages from Ramokgwebane to Francistown seeking ties, Bulawayo is ready to build practical partnerships that uplift our communities,” Ndlovu said.
The delegation was led by the Child Welfare and Basic Education assistant minister Justin Hunyepa who said his hope was for the district to co-operate with Bulawayo in areas such as agriculture and agro-processing, micro, small and medium enterprises, tourism and infrastructure development.
“My hope is for the North-East district to co-operate with Bulawayo in key sectors such as agriculture and agro-processing, MSMEs, tourism and infrastructure development. These are areas where both our people can benefit directly,” Hunyepa said.
Ndlovu expressed appreciation for the visit, adding that the city was open to fostering strong bilateral relations with the North-East district.