By Rungano Dzikira
Namibia’s Omaheke Province has twinned with Zimbabwe’s Matebeleland North Province as part of Zimbabwe’s increased business cooperation initiatives in pursuance of its re-engagement policy intended at intensifying regional and international joints.
The delegation which included the Namibian Ambassador to Zimbabwe - Ms Balbina Daes Piennar, Namibian Omaheke Region Governor- Festus Tulonga Ueitele, Matebeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs - Richard Moyo, officials from Government and local authorities and business people toured five of the seven districts in Mat North.
“We visited Binga, Bubi, Lupane, Umguza and Hwange to scout for potential areas of cooperation between our two twinning provinces; and we have identified quite a number of areas of interest,” said Festus Tulonga Ueitele.
“In education we intend to foster a relationship with Lupane State University whereby we will be sending our students to study there; twinning of local authorities, cattle ranching, women and youth empowerment programmes, mining, charcoal making and tourism, among other strategic areas,” he said.
The two twinning regions expressed commitment to develop a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding in these areas.
“Just like Omaheke Province promised, Mat North is also ready to assist in every way possible in all identified areas of keen interest,” pledged Moyo, Mat North Provincial minister.
The delegation also had an opportunity to tour Victoria Falls to have sight of stands under development by the town’s municipality, as well as the recycling plant.
Vic Falls’ Mayor, Somvelo Dhlamini, likewise expressed enthusiasm in partnering with Gobabis, Omaheke’s provincial capital which intends to borrow a leaf or two from the newly established cooperation.
The two countries recently signed seven bilateral agreements under the 9th Zimbabwe-Namibia Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC) where President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his counterpart, Hage Geingob undertook to further strengthen economic ties between the two countries.
Relations between Zimbabwe and Namibia date back to the two countries’ liberation struggles, whereby they worked together in driving off their former colonial master.
