By Patience Gondo
THE Municipality of Beitbridge (MOB) has partnered Beit Bridge Business Expo on 13 hectares of its 26-hectare showgrounds site along Bulawayo Road.
Town Clerk Loud Ramakgapola announced the partnership at the 2026 Beitbridge Corporate and People’s Choice Awards held on Saturday at Ronnies Sports Arena.
“The journey towards success needs friends and partners. We hope by partnering the private sector we will quicken development of our town.
“For us, we have come to realise that strategic partnerships are not merely a choice; they are the cornerstone of sustainable growth and competitive edge,” he said.
He said the partnership, approved in line with the Government’s Policy Framework on Equity in Public-Private Partnerships and the “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” thrust, comes as the municipality seeks to leverage private-sector participation in developing the showgrounds.
Ramakgapola said council’s decision was influenced by Beit Bridge Business Expo’s track record in organising successful business events and its long-standing working relationship with the local authority.
Town Clerk said the municipality stood to benefit from the partnership because the organisation had demonstrated its capacity through the successful organisation of the annual Beit Bridge Business Expo and other related events.
“Through collaboration with Business Expo we have successfully organised our own Beit Bridge Business Fair for the past four years.
“The main beneficiary of the Business Expo has been ourselves as the Municipality, local businesses and residents of this beautiful town through increased business and tourism,” he said.
The annual expo has over the years been hosted at Dulivhadzimo Stadium, a venue that municipal authorities now consider inadequate for the event’s growing ambitions.
“In the past few years this Trade Fair has been held at our Dulivhadzimo Stadium. Over the years we found the stadium to be inadequate and unsuitable for the ambition that Business Expo has,” said Ramakgapola.
He said the partnership comes at an opportune time as Zimbabwe begins implementing the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which seeks to drive economic growth and improve livelihoods through increased investment and productivity.
He said the showgrounds project is expected to contribute towards infrastructure development while creating employment opportunities, particularly for young people.
“The agricultural showgrounds will live right on the touchline of NDS2 and at its peak we expect to see infrastructural development and create employment especially for the youth. This strategic partnership with Beit Bridge Business Expo will create capacity to unlock new markets and attract more investment through the annual Business Expo,” he said.
The partnership comes months after stakeholders gathered at a fundraising dinner “Dinner Under The Stars” held October 2025 in support of the proposed showgrounds project, where business leaders, companies and individuals pledged resources towards the initiative.
Addressing guests at the event in October 2025 Beitbridge Mayor Pirato Mafuta said the envisioned facility would be a reflection of the town’s identity and aspirations.
“We want a showground that reflects who we are modern, ambitious, yet deeply rooted in culture,” he said.
According to the project vision presented at the fundraising dinner, the venue is expected to host major conferences, weddings and community gatherings, providing Beitbridge with a facility designed to support its growing regional influence.
The fundraising event drew support from across the business community, with pledges being made throughout the evening as stakeholders rallied behind a project they believe could play a significant role in the town’s future development.
The momentum behind the project was also evident on Saturday as the fundraising drive continued to attract support from the business community.
The event concluded with businesspeople making bids and pledges towards the development of the showgrounds, while the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matabeleland South, Hon Albert Nguluvhe pledged 10 000 bricks towards the construction of the facility.