News / Local
Coltart engages Cincinnati, Cologne for twinning opportunity with Bulawayo
05 Dec 2023 at 00:39hrs | Views
BULAWAYO Mayor David Coltart has unveiled initiatives aimed at fostering partnerships with the American town Cincinnati and Germany's Cologne, as part of several developments. These plans include a meeting with the world's seventh richest person, Michael Bloomberg, at COP28 in Dubai.
Coltart disclosed that he had submitted a request for financial assistance from Bloomberg Philanthropy, the non-profit arm of the multi-billion dollar business dedicated to global humanitarian aid.
Given COP28's focus on environmental and climate issues, the former Education Minister highlighted that he sought funding to educate primary school students on the importance of maintaining a clean city and engaging them in cleanup efforts.
The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Councillor also shared that he was working on an application to secure funds for the restoration of Bulawayo's cycle tracks, promoting bicycle usage.
"In addition to a brief meeting with Bloomberg, I had various productive discussions and engagements," Coltart stated in an update on X. "I have applied for funding from Bloomberg Philanthropy for a project to educate primary school children on the need to keep our city clean and involve them in the cleanup efforts.
"I was also informed about a fund for rehabilitating cycle paths and will soon be submitting an application to Bloomberg Philanthropy for assistance in making Bulawayo a more bicycle-friendly city."
Coltart aims to advocate for the planting of indigenous trees in Bulawayo's high-density suburbs as part of a greening initiative.
He added, "I also had valuable interactions with the Mayors of Lusaka, Copenhagen, Cincinnati, and Cologne and have initiated discussions with the latter two to explore the possibility of twinning Bulawayo with them."
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second-largest city, has faced enduring challenges such as water scarcity, inadequate infrastructure, diminished investment, and overall scarcity, all of which Coltart is expected to address.
Coltart disclosed that he had submitted a request for financial assistance from Bloomberg Philanthropy, the non-profit arm of the multi-billion dollar business dedicated to global humanitarian aid.
Given COP28's focus on environmental and climate issues, the former Education Minister highlighted that he sought funding to educate primary school students on the importance of maintaining a clean city and engaging them in cleanup efforts.
The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Councillor also shared that he was working on an application to secure funds for the restoration of Bulawayo's cycle tracks, promoting bicycle usage.
"I was also informed about a fund for rehabilitating cycle paths and will soon be submitting an application to Bloomberg Philanthropy for assistance in making Bulawayo a more bicycle-friendly city."
Coltart aims to advocate for the planting of indigenous trees in Bulawayo's high-density suburbs as part of a greening initiative.
He added, "I also had valuable interactions with the Mayors of Lusaka, Copenhagen, Cincinnati, and Cologne and have initiated discussions with the latter two to explore the possibility of twinning Bulawayo with them."
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second-largest city, has faced enduring challenges such as water scarcity, inadequate infrastructure, diminished investment, and overall scarcity, all of which Coltart is expected to address.
Source - newzimbabwe
