The Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) is in the process of entering into a twinning agreement with the Beitbridge District Municipality of Zimbabwe, which VDM Executive Mayor Dowelani Nenguda described as a social-cohesion project between the two districts to promote viable economic development.
A welcoming function was held at the 2Ten Hotel outside Thohoyandou on Wednesday, 2 November, where Nenguda welcomed the 10 delegates from the Beitbridge Rural District Council of Zimbabwe for their three-day visit to the district. The VDM planned on taking their visitors on a tour through various tourism destinations, agricultural projects, some of which were funded by the VDM, as well as a boat cruise on the Nandoni Dam.
"We are members of the same family, sharing some surnames and village names with our Zimbabwean people. If an agreement is reached here, the economic ties between the Vhembe District and Zimbabwe will be strengthened and we can trade with each other," Nenguda said.
According to Nenguda, certain products produced in Zimbabwe are not produced in Vhembe. He said that trade between the two districts was important for growing their economies. He pointed out that when the VDM's delegates had visited the Zimbabwean Beitbridge Rural District Council a few weeks ago, they were treated with dignity and respect. Nenguda said he wanted the Zimbabweans to get the same treatment.
The vice-chairperson of the Zimbabwean Beitbridge Rural Council, Ms Sibongile Chauke, was excited about entering into a twinning agreement with the VDM and looked forward to visiting the Vhembe District.