Lupane gets master plan
THE Lupane Local Board has developed a master plan to serve as a guide to develop the town amid revelations that the proposed new urban set up will accommodate about 50 000 residents.
In an interview, board chairperson Mrs Monica Ngwenya revealed that investors and developers had been shunning the Matabeleland North provincial capital as they had no guide in place as to how the town would be developed.
Mrs Ngwenya said the idea was to develop the existing set up to an urban set up with a shopping mall, a Government complex, a new stadium, among other business structures.
“At the moment we have nothing tangible in our coffers to be able to develop Lupane hence the need for investors. We now have a master plan in place that will serve as a guide where certain structures will be put up. There are other issues like the sewer pond and water management systems that have to be dealt with in an urban set up,” she said.
Mrs Ngwenya said the town which covers an area of seven kilometres will be expanded by a 10km stretch on both sides with the timeframe for most of the projects set for five years. She said the plan was to accommodate 50 000 residents in the town.
“The master plan will identify points in the development which has been largely influenced by the university which will bring in more than 3 000 students and staff members and their families. These people will need proper facilities and spur business for Lupane,” she said.
Speaking on how Lupane State University would assist in the growth of Lupane’s economy, the university spokesman Mr Zwelithini Dhlamini said the institution has applied for 200 residential stands to be developed and earmarked for staff accommodation while there are plans to also purchase commercial stands.
Mr Dhlamini said purchasing of stands by the university would contribute to the local authority’s coffers and help them in advancing their master plan.
“Although it is not yet clear which business ventures the university will pursue, key contributions will be made to assist the local authority in its development agenda. The relocation of the university to Lupane will further boost infrastructural development in the area. Business for local retail shops, transport sector and entertainment joints are also set to improve, with various job opportunities to be availed downstream. All these spill-offs will inject life into Lupane’s economy,” said Mr Dhlamini.
He said the university also offers programmes like urban planning and aquatic issues thus the expertise of both students and lecturers will be availed to the local authority to assist in developing the town.
He said students in the aquatic issues programmes would utilise the Bubi-Lupane Dam in carrying out studies and research which will impact positively.
“This is also an opportunity for various investors to consider building quality schools, ECD facilities as well as other infrastructure like pharmacies and establishment of private surgeries,” said Mr Dhlamini.
Lupane was designated to be the provincial capital for Matabeleland North in 1999 with the Government taking the responsibility to develop the centre. Since then, there has been no meaningful development taking place at Lupane but with the development of the master plan and relocation of Lupane State University from Bulawayo to Lupane, the town is hopeful.
Mrs Ngwenya appealed to Government to assist the area which she called a little baby, to realise its growth and development.