Limpopo’s premier, Mr Cassel Mathale, has called on South Africa and Zimbabwe to play a leading role in the revival of development projects that were initiated under the Trans-Limpopo Spatial Development Initiative.

Speaking during a meeting between South African and Zimbabwean officials in Gwanda, Matabeleland South province in Zimbabwe last week, Mathale said there was a need for the two countries to resuscitate developmental projects that had been lagging behind.

He said the development of such projects, spearheaded by the Matabeleland South Province and Limpopo Province, would see Zimbabwe and South Africa growing economically in a move expected ultimately to benefit the African continent as well.

“We can grow our economies from provincial to national and national to regional (level) and by so doing, opening up trade opportunities in the South African Community Development (SADC) region. I believe that if we can work together to implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries in 2002, we can do better than what we have done so far. We should forget about the borders and continue working together because we are one people,” said Mathale.

In 2002, the provincial governors of Matabeleland South, North and the then mayor of Bulawayo signed an MoU with the premier of Limpopo Province to create an economic development corridor from Limpopo to Victoria Falls.

After the signing of the MOU, the four principals formed the Joint Provincial Council (JPC) and the Joint Executive Council (JEC), which work hand in hand with various sub-committees from various sectors of the economy.

A number of projects were identified under the initiative, which included the setting up of a one-stop border post at Beit Bridge as an anchor project that was to be solely developed and financed by the governments of the two countries.

There are also sectorial projects, which are developed and financed by the business community from various sectors of the economy.

The chairman of the Trans-Limpopo Spatial Development Initiative, Mr Obert Sibanda, expressed concern over the lack of progress with the Trans-Limpopo Spatial Development Initiative. “One of the milestones we have achieved is the setting up of the geographical information system (GIS), which was done in both countries. On this side we are trying to come up with a map used for identifying where to find what and where,” he said.

Sibanda, who is also the president of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, said that to consolidate relations between the countries, a delegation of people from Zimbabwe actively participated in some of South Africa’s national celebrations every year.

He said although the initiative had faced several challenges in the past years, there was determination to see that it yielded positive results to benefit both Zimbabwe and South Africa. “We therefore call upon our principals to whip us because we believe this initiative is the only way that can benefit both provinces. We need to resuscitate the projects as a matter of urgency, so that we can open up markets for both sides as well,” said Sibanda.

Some of the twinning arrangements have been successful, such as the Zimbabwe Investment Authority (ZIA) and the Trade and Investment Limpopo (TIL). ZimTrade and TIL are still negotiating the signing of the MoU.

Matabeleland South Provincial Governor Mrs Angeline Masuku commended Limpopo Province for its dedication towards ensuring the developmental projects were revived. She echoed the same sentiments for the need to breathe life into the projects under the initiative.

“We appreciate your efforts in trying to make the MoU work, and if we continue working together, we will be able to improve our economies,” she said.