Opinion / Columnist
Five things to restore the City of Kings
22 Jul 2016 at 12:52hrs | Views
Once Zimbabwe's economic hub, the city of Bulawayo today lies in an eyesore state, with most of its industries closed and its buildings left to decay or turned into Pentecostal churches. However, it is not too late to administer the restoration of City of King's glory. It takes five socio-economic considerations that are crucial in reviving industries and create vast forms of employment.
From an economist's perspective, what Bulawayo needs is sensible investment. It can not be debated that people who live in Bulawayo have been succumbing to the country's harsh economic environment such that they think about working from hand to mouth rather than starting businesses. International investors have to be invited by relevant authorities so that industries and businesses are revived.
Writing on various platforms, a lot of economists have seen it crucial that everyone should promote locally-produced goods. This must serve as a wake up call for the Bulawayo people, City council and companies as such promotion would bring about more profit for the little remaining industries which will then help revive others. There are some locally-produced goods such as cooking oil, mealie-meal and clothes, but they are not promoted as consumers rely most on cheap imports. It is the duty of the authorities to the ban those imports so that local products make a success in the market.
Politically, decentralization of decision making is needed to allow the council to make decisions that would prioritize the city's revival. It is a pity that the government through the Ministry of Local government interferes with the council's decision and policy formulation procedures, causing more confusion in the process. The government should facilitate and formulate laws that would allow an independent take into the city's development. Recently the city council have said it is waiting for government approval to use some piece of land as a cemetery. Such government control is retrogressive and devolution of power can be the only way to go.
There is a Ndebele saying which goes: "indlela ubuzwa kwabaphambili", as such, it is also important for the council to consult city fathers. These are the people who lived and managed the economy when Bulawayo was thriving and they have knowledge on how to avoid mishaps which eventually lead to economic meltdown.
Corruption is a disease that destroys both the admirer and others. For Bulawayo industries to rise, there is need for the council to fight corruption right, left and centre. The council has to introduce its own anti-corruption committee to monitor tender offerings, land distributions, funds disbursements and service delivery. This would go a long way in making sure that the little money available is used sparingly to revive the once thriving industries.
In consideration of these and others issues, authorities could bring back into life comatose business which President Robert Mugabe himself has referred as a "scrapyard".
From an economist's perspective, what Bulawayo needs is sensible investment. It can not be debated that people who live in Bulawayo have been succumbing to the country's harsh economic environment such that they think about working from hand to mouth rather than starting businesses. International investors have to be invited by relevant authorities so that industries and businesses are revived.
Writing on various platforms, a lot of economists have seen it crucial that everyone should promote locally-produced goods. This must serve as a wake up call for the Bulawayo people, City council and companies as such promotion would bring about more profit for the little remaining industries which will then help revive others. There are some locally-produced goods such as cooking oil, mealie-meal and clothes, but they are not promoted as consumers rely most on cheap imports. It is the duty of the authorities to the ban those imports so that local products make a success in the market.
There is a Ndebele saying which goes: "indlela ubuzwa kwabaphambili", as such, it is also important for the council to consult city fathers. These are the people who lived and managed the economy when Bulawayo was thriving and they have knowledge on how to avoid mishaps which eventually lead to economic meltdown.
Corruption is a disease that destroys both the admirer and others. For Bulawayo industries to rise, there is need for the council to fight corruption right, left and centre. The council has to introduce its own anti-corruption committee to monitor tender offerings, land distributions, funds disbursements and service delivery. This would go a long way in making sure that the little money available is used sparingly to revive the once thriving industries.
In consideration of these and others issues, authorities could bring back into life comatose business which President Robert Mugabe himself has referred as a "scrapyard".
Source - Bulawayo Resident
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