In a compelling address at the inaugural Bulawayo Economic Development Conference 2025 (BEDCON 25) on Tuesday, Mayor David Coltart laid bare the dire situation facing Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s once-thriving industrial capital.
Coltart expressed a deep concern that the city stands on the precipice of economic demise unless significant reforms in governance, service delivery, and transparency are prioritized.
“Our factories look like graveyards. Railway sidings are overgrown. We must interrogate why our city is in this state. Not all the reasons are external. Some lie at our very own doorstep,” he stated.
Coltart outlined four essential pillars for recovery: revitalizing water infrastructure, improving sanitation and cleanliness, ensuring adherence to the rule of law, and fostering efficient governance.
He underscored that these reforms are critical not only for restoring Bulawayo’s economic vitality but also for enhancing the quality of life for its residents.
The Mayor’s remarks resonate with many who remember Bulawayo as the industrial epicenter of Zimbabwe and southern Africa, where factories buzzed with activity and the economy thrived.
This legacy, however, is now at risk, with many local businesses shuttered, a lack of investment, and severe infrastructural challenges hampering progress.
