ZDDT and Bulawayo City Council install new vending shelters

Written by Lewis Jones, ZDDT Field Correspondent Monday, 08 August 2011 12:12

BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE – ZDDT’S Local Authority Capacity Building Programme moved up a gear recently, when the first of twenty four vending shelters was successfully erected at the Bulawayo City Council’s designated vending area in Ward One. The site is a busy pedestrian mall situated along Lobengula Street in down town Bulawayo. Councillor for the Ward, Edward Manning, supervised the shelter’s installation.

Most beneficiaries of the shelter expressed similar sentiments that were positive in nature and are most aptly captured in remarks made by a long-standing vendor at the site, Mrs. Ivy Ngwenya, who said; “The hired shelter that I have been using for the past few years has been a drain on the small income I get from selling clothing and leatherwear at this site. This new shelter erected by ZDDT has come as a blessing. There is now more money for my family. I wish to thank all those involved in making this possible.”

Provision of shelters by the Trust to eight of the City’s Wards, is a component of its Local Authority Capacity Building Programme which is aimed at improving the lives of residents through enhanced service delivery by the Bulawayo City Council. In addition this concept supports the City Authority in developing a new licensed SME programme that contributes revenue to the Council coffers and provides appropriate and respectful business recognition. The Programme receives financial support from development partner GIZ, with assistance from the German Government.