Bulawayo, (New Ziana) — The Zimbabwe government has expressed satisfaction with progress on key private-sector and infrastructure investments in Bulawayo, describing them as significant steps towards restoring the status of the city as the industrial hub of the country.
Special Advisor to the President on Monitoring and Implementation of Government Programs, Dr Joram Gumbo, said this on Wednesday during a field visit that covered the construction of the Delta Beverages brewhouse in Belmont, the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair retail mall and sports-field development, as well as a textile manufacturing centre expected to accommodate women and young entrepreneurs.
He noted that the projects demonstrated growing confidence in Bulawayo’s economy and reflected the government drive to ensure that no community is left behind under the national development agenda.
“We have been able to assess quite a number of projects for today,” he said, adding that the transformation at the ZITF grounds was particularly encouraging.
The ZITF project includes renovations and the development of a retail mall, alongside other facilities such as hotels and a new sports field.
Dr Gumbo observed that the pace of work had improved markedly since the April edition of the ZITF.
“I have been very much impressed by the work rate that I have seen there, particularly on the field, which is now not what I saw in April. It is all being worked on, which is a very important thing to see happening, particularly for Bulawayo,” he noted.
Mandevu Contracting project manager Patrick Wallet outlined that the contractor had completed the initial earthworks for both the retail centre and sports field, transforming the former ZITF arena into an 11 000-square-metre facility designed to meet Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards.
He explained that the project would create a multi-purpose space, supporting both trade-fair activities and sporting events, while the final spectator capacity would be determined once further structural designs are concluded.
“It is an exciting project. We are glad to be a part of it. We are well within program and within our deadlines and hope that everything continues to go smoothly going forward,” he said.
Wallet said the sports field was a critical component of preparations for next year’s trade fair, with the contractor accelerating work to meet project timelines.
He said the design team, led by Terrace Africa, was working to ensure that the upgraded site could accommodate as many, or more, people than the former arena.
At the Delta Beverages Belmont plant, Dr Gumbo commended the company’s US$16 million investment in a new brewhouse, which is set to modernise beer production, improve product quality and increase capacity.
Delta representative Brian Ndimela explained that the existing brewhouse, installed in 1983, had reached the end of its effective operating life and was increasingly unable to meet market demand, adding its ageing equipment also consumed high levels of water and energy, while some components had become obsolete.
“The replacement facility is expected to lift brewing capacity by 77 percent and reduce water and energy consumption in line with the company’s sustainable-development standards,” he explained, noting that construction began in October 2025, with civil works now 91 percent complete.
While acknowledging delays caused by late deliveries of stainless-steel material from South Africa, Ndimela said they have introduced day and night shifts to recover lost time and keep the project on track for completion within the calendar year.
Dr Gumbo described the project as evidence of the modernisation now taking place in Bulawayo’s productive sectors.
He noted that greater output would strengthen government revenue, while the installation process was also creating valuable skills-transfer opportunities for local engineers working alongside foreign specialists.
The delegation also visited the textile manufacturing centre, where infrastructure is being prepared for 21 women and youth entrepreneurs.
Dr Gumbo observed that the facility would provide a better operating environment for small-scale manufacturers and support inclusive economic participation, adding the three projects illustrated a broader revival of Bulawayo, a city whose industries had faced prolonged operational challenges.
“What is happening now is reviving Bulawayo. We are happy about it and we want to see more companies and industries coming into Bulawayo to resuscitate some of the activities that used to take place in this town,” he said.
New Ziana
