HELLO there, hope I find you well!
The Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanayi World Tourism Expo is drawing near. I would like to take this opportunity to call upon each and every one of us to get ready for this prestigious event that presents an opportunity for the City to witness an economic turnaround. The 2025 edition of Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanayi, Zimbabwe’s premier international tourism exhibition, will be hosted in Mutare, Manicaland Province, from 10 to 12 September 2025. City of Mutare is excited by the opportunity to host this event and the benefits it brings to the City and the nation at large. I would like to urge residents of Mutare to get ready for this life-changing event.
As we take stock of our infrastructure, we have noticed that the majority of our buildings in the Central Business District (CBD) are in a bad state and are in need of renovations to improve the image of the City. In terms of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act: Chapter 29:12, Section 35 (1)(b), we are therefore directing all owners of buildings in the CBD to carry out the necessary maintenance, by repairing and refurbishing their buildings. It can be widely agreed that most buildings in the Central Business District have gone for a long time without renovations and are in a state of dilapidation and disrepair. This is in contravention of the provisions of the said Act and the operative Town Planning Scheme 1 covering the area. Property owners should heed this call and spruce up their buildings not only in preparation for the Expo but also in line with the provisions of the law.
We are also carrying out renovation works on our own buildings and infrastructure in the City. The first phase of renovations of the Sakubva Housing Department offices is now complete, and we are moving into the second phase of renovations to ensure that we have an environment that is conducive for our employees and visitors. Works have also begun on the renovation and painting of Marlborough Court. Courtauld Theatre will also undergo renovations soon, and the procurement processes for the contractor are already underway. Renovation of these structures and facilities will go a long way in enhancing the image of the City and reaffirming Council’s position of ensuring that our facilities are in good shape to serve the interests of the residents of Mutare. We are also doing tar pothole patching and road markings of roads in the CBD. Tar pothole patching of Herbert Chitepo Street is now complete and we will be moving to other roads in the CBD. We are also pleased that the Green Market traffic lights are now functional after over a year of serious procurement challenges for the procurement of some spare parts that are not locally available. I believe these developments will go a long way in traffic management in our City. We continue to urge our residents to jealously guard public infrastructure against vandalism and theft, which is a cancer that we have continued to face over the years. It is worth noting that these infrastructures belong to the residents and serve the interests of our residents.
I warmly invite you to the 2025 edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanayi World Tourism Expo, where culture, heritage, and hospitality converge in the Jewel of the East. Discover breathtaking destinations, connect with industry leaders, and celebrate Manicaland’s tourism treasures.
As we strive to improve service delivery and move towards achieving the ideals of a Smart City concept for Mutare, I want to assure you that my office is open for engagement with residents and stakeholders. Our goal is to work collaboratively to enhance the quality of life for our residents and make Mutare a better place to live, work, and visit. I encourage residents and stakeholders to engage with my office, share their ideas, and provide feedback on how we can improve our services and achieve our Smart City vision.
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Together, we will make our City great.
K.B. Chafesuka
Town Clerk
City of Mutare