The eThekwini Municipality, which runs the Metropolis of Durban, and Zimbabwe’s Metropolis of Bulawayo are actually prioritising the exploration of their shared cultural heritage as a key technique to invigorate tourism.
This may even see a strengthening of ties within the arts, tradition, and enterprise sectors, constructing upon the inspiration of the cities’ historic connections to foster continued financial and cultural alternate.
The Durban and Bulawayo collaboration
Over a decade after signing their Twinning Constitution in September 2011, the long-standing partnership between Durban and Bulawayo is getting into an thrilling new section.
Because the Metropolis of Bulawayo participated on this 12 months’s Zimbabwe Worldwide Commerce Honest (ZITF), it invited eThekwini Municipality.
In an interview with The South African, Thulani Nzama, the pinnacle of the eThekwini Municipality’s Enterprise Assist, Tourism, and Markets Unit, mentioned his municipality is joyful to work carefully with the Metropolis of Bulawayo.
“Our important objective is to forge enterprise linkages between the 2 cities,” he mentioned. ” We need to take a look at different areas like the humanities and tradition. These cities normally host related cultural occasions. Nearly all of individuals within the Metropolis of Bulawayo converse the Ndebele language, which has similarities to isiZulu. Even if you happen to take a look at the surnames…when it comes to tradition, the whole lot appears to be like virtually the identical.”
How the 2 cities join traditionally
Nzama traditionally described how the eThekwini Municipality and the Metropolis of Bulawayo share the identical historical past. He famous that the founders of KwaBulawayo originated from KwaZulu and relocated in the course of the Mfecane interval.
“As a lot because it was struggle, if you happen to take a look at it strategically, it was extra of increasing the nation. They’re nonetheless right here, talking the language and sticking to our tradition. So it’s a matter of claiming, ‘guys, let’s meet and share as a result of that is related.’” Nzama mentioned the shared historical past, depicted by the heritage websites like The Battle of Isandlwana and Mzilikazi’s grave, will assist the cities enhance tourism.
Nzama mentioned the thought is that if a vacationer is visiting for seven days, they will simply bundle her or him for 3 days in Durban. She or he can then take a flight to Bulawayo for an additional three days.
One other South African municipality is twinned with Bulawayo
The Metropolis of Bulawayo additionally signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Polokwane Municipality in October 2012.
“We’re twinned with two South African Cities, eThekwini Municipality and Polokwane Municipality, and it’s working very properly,” mentioned Kholisani Moyo, the Bulawayo Metropolis Financial Improvement officer.
“We have now managed to hyperlink Bulawayo Polytechnic to the Venda College. They’ve since signed an MOU, and this 12 months that they had their first convention in Victoria Falls. Some analysis papers had been introduced in the course of the convention. Each South African and Zimbabwean researchers participated. Subsequent 12 months, the convention might be held in South Africa.”
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