The relationship between South Africa and Zimbabwe will be strengthened when the two countries jointly showcase their tourist attractions, economic muscles and cultural diversity during the Musina Annual Show which started yesterday (Thursday 25 July) at the Musina Showground.

The show ends tomorrow (Saturday 27 July).

Well-known artists who will perform during the show include Zahara, Rebecca Malope, Colbert Mukwevho, DJ Comlexion and Dr Malinga.

The show follows the recent visit by representatives from the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, who were marketing their tourism destinations in the border town of Musina. The relationship is due to the fact that the Musina Municipality in South Africa and the Beit Bridge District Rural Council in Zimbabwe signed a twinning agreement of friendly relations and cooperation on 29 October 2004. The relationship is also aimed at strengthening relations and co-operation in areas around service delivery, economic development, tourism and corporate governance.

Musina Mayor Carol Mapiri said the twinning agreement aimed to help South Africa and Zimbabwe in the development of modern and efficient administration and organisations at central, regional and local level, with the structures, human resources and management skills needed to implement the same standards as friendly states.  “Our twinning agreement provides the framework for administrative and political networking to understand each other better. The other main feature of our twinning agreement is the direct exchange of specific experience legislation implementation.”

She said since the twinning agreement had been signed in 2004, there had been many benefits for both parties. “This includes exchange of experiences and knowledge based on equal-level communication between the two councils. We also share the best practices in public administration, knowledge of political administrative systems, training and improving professional capacity, sharing ideas in organisational practices and culture, improvements in managerial styles, better communication and co-ordination between and within the two councils.”

The Beit Bridge area manager of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Bertha Mutowemba, said the working relationship between the Musina Municipality and the Beit Bridge Rural District Council was so important because it promoted cooperative governance. “The twinning agreement also specifies that we will work together to promote tourism and this is exactly what we are doing.”

Musina Municipality spokesperson Wilson Dzebu says up-and-coming entrepreneurs will also have a splendid time to market their small businesses to the public during the annual show. “The show also provides an ideal platform for small business to network with government institutions, companies and other organizations which may consider appointing them as service providers. We have also roped in well-known Zimbabwean band Zozo and Sengere Superbeat to share with South Africans the Zimbabwean rhumba beats.”

The entrance fee is R50 for adults and R30 for children under 13 years. The gates open at 08:00 daily.