Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Leonard Ncube leonard.ncube@chronicle.co.zw
LUPANE Town is poised for massive growth, especially in public infrastructure development, as the Government has indicated plans to construct a state-of-the-art soccer stadium in the Matabeleland North provincial capital.
The Second Republic under President Mnangagwa’s administration has been spearheading various projects in Lupane, which was granted town status in 1999.
Lupane is located 171km from Bulawayo along the Victoria Falls Highway but has no built-up town centre or public facilities, save for a small business centre, two fuel service stations, a bus rank, a single bank and few other services.
The Bubi-Lupane Dam and the subsequent Bubi-Lupane Dam, Lupane State University, and the Welshman Mabhena Government complex have catapulted Lupane to growth as some Ministries and Government departments are already working on relocating to the province from Mhlahlandlela Building in Bulawayo.
Lupane has a population of over 10 000 people according to Zimstat 2022 survey while the whole of Lupane District population is above 200 000.
Construction of the Lupane Provincial Hospital is underway and will be the first in the country to house all of its staff on-site, while the Lupane Provincial Civil Registry and District Registry offices are already functional.
Government has been rigorously investing in infrastructure in Lupane, Matabeleland North to catapult the town into a provincial capital status and service centre for the province.
Local authorities, Lupane Local Board and Kusile Rural District Council have set aside land for development of shopping malls, lodges and other service centres to grow Lupane’s potential and are courting investors.
The Local Board, which manages Lupane Town, has a long-term plan to develop the stadium into a 60 000-seater facility.
The town hosts major provincial events with Somhlolo Stadium the traditional venue for the Independence Day and Defence Forces Day commemorations.
Upon mention of the name Somhlolo, one would be forgiven for thinking the facility is a state-of-the-art stadium when it is only a mere village ground with goalposts and a netball court by its side.
With most public service offices relocating to Lupane and the population growing, the need for expanded and standard facilities including sports is also growing.
Lupane is the only provincial capital without a sports ground or soccer stadium and as such has not participated competitively in any sporting code before.
Recently, Government commissioned Mabhikwa Multipurpose Sports Facility at Mabhikwa High School in Lupane, with the facility becoming the first community sports centre in the province.
Speaking at the commissioning, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Nicholas Moyo said Government was committed to using sport to change lives.
He said Government will continue collaborating with partners for the development of infrastructure.
Mr Moyo implored Lupane Local Board and Kusile Rural District Council to start identifying partners that Government can work with to develop Somhlolo Stadium.
“Lupane has no stadium and this touches me,” said Mr Moyo.
He said engagements will be done specifically for the issue.
“As a Ministry, we will ask the local authority to engage and see what can be done. It’s not something we can do today but we can sit and see which partners we can bring. We can be the first provincial capital to have a 10,000-seater stadium in the country,” said the Permanent Secretary.
He said Government’s conviction was to ensure sport is accessible to communities.
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