Bulawayo City Council (BCC) is hosting a delegation from Quelimane Municipality, Mozambique, for a City-to-City Exchange Visit.
This initiative aims to develop strategies for improved development and service delivery in both cities.
The two municipalities are part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ new Youth Climate Action Fund.
This program provides technical assistance and funding for 100 mayors to empower young people (aged 15-24) to design, implement, and govern climate solutions in their cities.
Addressing journalists at the Bulawayo Council Chambers, Sacur Chipire, Director of Projects and Studies for Quelimane Municipality, praised Bulawayo’s leadership and potential for collaboration.
“We’re impressed by Bulawayo’s opportunities,” he said. “Both cities are part of the youth climate fund project, where we’ll work with young people to improve our cities. Success will unlock additional funding for further development.”
Chipire highlighted shared challenges, particularly water scarcity.
“We’ve faced water shortages and a cholera outbreak in Quelimane,” he explained. “Our solution is drilling boreholes, but our water provision system isn’t fully efficient. We share this challenge with Bulawayo, and we hope to exchange ideas for solutions.”
“These platforms are crucial for learning from each other and finding solutions,” Chipire concluded.
Nesisa Mpofu, BCC Corporate Communications Manager, echoed the same sentiments.
“City-to-city engagements are valuable for development and service delivery improvement,” she said. “We recognise the need for expertise and improvement in various areas. Collaborations like this help enhance city management, planning, and development.”
Mpofu highlighted potential areas of learning between the two local authorities.
“Quelimane experiences floods and cyclones, making their seawater too salty for use,” she explained. “They lack a desalination plant. Sharing water management ideas is key. We also face water supply challenges. Collaboration and exchange will help us navigate water and climate resilience. We’re already drilling boreholes, and I believe this exchange will yield even more solutions.”
