THE 67th edition of the Matabeleland South Agricultural Show is set to roar into action next month, with the authorities in Gwanda expressing optimism in terms of ease of doing business.
Matabeleland South Agricultural Show chairperson Sheron Dewa told Southern Eye that this year’s addition will run from September 4 to 6 under the theme Farm to Factory: Unlocking Industrial Growth.
“It is a provincial showcase where we expect our all-weather partners to come from all the districts in the province,” Dewa said.
“We are expecting to host a team from the Municipality of Makhado in South Africa.
“More than 100 traditional farmers will be around from both the crop and livestock sectors.”
She said Matabeleland South was a farming province and as such, they expected breeders, namely Chinhamo Breeders and Sifela Brahmans including farmers from across the Limpopo River.
“Our agricultural show will be opened by prominent businessman James Ross Goddard together with the Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister Albert Nguluvhe,” Dewa said.
“Goddard will also assist us in the construction of a farmers' hall which is meant to accommodate farmers’ produce.
- Corruption watch: Who needs elections, anyway?
- Zinwa blames water woes on council
- Corruption watch: Who needs elections, anyway?
- Zinwa blames water woes on council
Keep Reading
“The hall is nearing completion and will be ready for use next year. Of late, crop farmers are having challenges of storing their farm produce during the show, hence the construction of this hall.”
Gwanda mayor Thulani Moyo expressed optimism that the agricultural show would boost business in the town.
“It will assist in terms of ease of doing business. Right now, most of the service providers are here, those applying for passports are doing so with ease including getting identity cards, birth certificates and the instrument used for branding cattle,” he said.
“We invited our twin city Makhado led by their mayor to grace the show since we share exchange programmes. The city will benefit a lot in the mining, agriculture, tourism sectors to boost the residents’ economic and social lives.”
Moyo said the show came at a time when the city had been rated 10 out of 92 municipalities, according to the best practices assessment nationally, adding that they would use the opportunity to showcase their master plan to attract investors.
