Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart is set to embark on a three-day visit to Johannesburg, South Africa, this week to strengthen ties with the Bulawayo diaspora community and encourage their participation in the cityâs development.
The visit, hosted by the Joshua Nkomo Foundation SA, aims to foster collaboration between the city leadership and Zimbabweans based in South Africa to promote peace and development.
Mlamuli Nkomo, Director of the Joshua Nkomo Foundation SA, explained that the foundation will provide a platform for Mayor Coltart to share his vision for Bulawayoâs future with potential investors based in Johannesburg.
âThe visit is twofold,â Nkomo said. âThe first is a public meeting open to everyone, which we expect hundreds to attend. The second is a gala dinner attended by around 100 carefully selected delegates from the business and investment circles.â
The public meeting for all residents will be held at Halfway House in Midrand.
Nkomo emphasised the importance of the diaspora community in Bulawayoâs development. âWith an estimated three million Zimbabweans, a significant portion of whom have ties to Bulawayo, we want to tap into this vast human resource and encourage their formal participation in the cityâs affairs,â he stated.
The visit will also provide an opportunity for Bulawayo residents based in South Africa to engage with their mayor and discuss issues related to social services and access to housing.
Nkomo envisions a long-term plan for Bulawayo to establish a permanent office in Johannesburg, enabling residents to apply for housing based on their employment in South Africa.
âThis office could cater to both business and social services,â he said.
