Council used $9K to renovate 5 vocational centres

Bulawayo City Council has this year spent $9389 to renovate five vocational training centres dotted around the city, it has been learnt.

This was established in the latest council minutes where the the Director of Health Services Zanele Hwalima reported there were Vocational Training courses in its Community Services Branch.

"These were in Agriculture, Art and Painting, Building, Carpentry, Motor Mechanic, Dress Making, Cutting and Designing, Home and Interior Décor and Home Economics, Hotel and Catering. Courses' duration ranges from 2 years to 3 years. She said trainees pay nominal tuition fees of $200 for 2 year courses and $300 for 3 year courses.

" In the process of training, the youths therein engaged in various income generating projects. The money so raised is ploughed back into materials and equipment for further training," reads the minutes.

"It was evidence based that in May 2015 the fund was used to renovate 5 vocational centres to the tune of $9389. The centres now look attractive and slightly. The cattle at Khami were procured over the years by funds raised in such a manner. The herd had now grown to an extent that the current carrying capacity could no longer sustain them. Furthermore, the centre is located in an area recently offered to residents on a lease basis."

The minutes states that this had seriously reduced the size of the grazing land.

Because of the reasons given above, the section now intended to reduce the number of cattle to be kept at that place.

"For now, it was proposed to sell five (5) oxen that have reached maturity age. This would be done either through negotiations with abattoirs or through the auction floors at the Bulawayo Show grounds," reads the minutes.

"The Chamber Secretary, through the Valuation Section shall be requested to assist since they have had experiences with auctions conducted by Council at the Gum Plantation in Luveve. However, the Council auctions never attract quality buyers and there was fear the cattle could go for a song."

The minutes states that it was proposed that like in the past, the section be granted authority to slaughter one beast per year to cover the annual graduation needs instead of buying meat from the abattoirs like had been happening of the late when attempts were being made to grow the herd.

"The current herd stood as follows: Oxen 6, Cows 7, Heifers 3, Steers 4, Weaners 3, Calves 4, Bulls 2, the total was 29," reads the minutes.

"In selecting the cattle for culling the following factors would be taken into consideration."

The council resolved that the five (5) oxen which have reached maturity age be sold either through negotiations with abattoirs or auction floors at the Bulawayo Show Grounds.  

It also resolved that the Housing and Community Services Department be granted authority to slaughter one beast per year to cover the annual graduation requirements instead of buying from abattoirs.