mbulelo smpofu
Thupeyo Muleya, thupeyo.muleya@zimpapers.co.zw
Beitbridge Rural District Council and South Africa’s Vhembe District Municipality in Limpopo Province have reignited their twinning agreement to drive economic development under the Trans-Limpopo Spatial Development Initiative.
The two councils, which share common challenges due to their strategic location along SADC’s busiest trade corridor, have agreed to collaborate on multiple areas to enhance service delivery and stimulate growth on both sides of the border.
The renewed partnership follows elections held in Zimbabwe in 2023 and South Africa earlier this year, prompting both councils to reintroduce their policymakers to the agreement. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), initially signed last year after delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, has now been reinforced with a seven-point joint action plan drafted by technocrats from both countries.
Speaking on the development, Beitbridge RDC Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr Peter Ncube, said the agreement is now being translated into tangible action.
“We are now translating this mutually beneficial bilateral co-operation into action and a few days ago we met in South Africa to introduce the new policymakers to each other following the elections that were held in Zimbabwe in 2023 and South Africa this year,” said Mr Ncube.
“These two local authorities recognise the spirit of a framework of co-operation to enhance the common aspirations of our people and hence we are now hard at work.”
Mr Ncube said the councils had already begun collaborative efforts, including showcasing their joint initiatives at the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo in Bulawayo and attending the Limpopo Tourism Summit together.
“We also attend the Limpopo Tourism Summit together and our technocrats have come up with a joint action plan to stir development and service delivery in our council areas,” he said.
Mr Ncube said they agreed to facilitate sustainable development of the natural and cultural resources, optimise economic opportunities, promote local authorities as unique agricultural hubs, and promote local authorities as unique agricultural hubs.
Other co-operation areas include sharing information on spatial planning, road, communicable diseases, disaster and fire management and promoting research and development in areas of interest.
The two councils have set a three-year target to achieve their strategic objectives under the action plan, which will integrate policies, infrastructure development, and sustainable economic initiatives.
Mr Ncube said the renewed partnership is expected to bring significant benefits to both communities, leveraging their geographical advantage along one of Africa’s major trade corridors to drive economic growth and improve livelihoods.
