Egodini Refurbishment Project: Youths Fear Marginalisation

Following reports on the progress made with regards to the looming $56 million shopping complex project at Egodini bus terminus, the National Youth Development Trust (NYDT) took time to seek opinions of young people on the potential benefits of the project.

Some of the youths expressed doubt that the project will be of direct benefit to them unless they strategically position themselves with immediate effect.

“It is very difficult for me to conclude that the project will benefit young people, because certainly residents have no control on employment criteria, maybe those that have joined strategic associations will be benefit by acquiring some stalls and shops in the shopping complex,” said Michael Ndiweni.

He added that it would be of paramount importance that different associations engage the company contracted to do the construction to ensure that local young people access jobs at the construction site.

“We have seen some companies importing labour from other regions to do menial jobs in Bulawayo that do not even require particular skills. So it’s important that action be taken now to guard against that. I would propose that an employment bureau be set up for residents to pool CV’s together and when the malls opens they just forward files with CVs from young people who are locals for consideration to whoever will be operating a shop in the shopping complex or  international bus terminus,” added Ndiweni.

Other young people also emphasised that there is need for them to collectively approach the Bulawayo City Council to make an arrangement for local youths to be awarded employment opportunities from the project.

“I think there is need for young people to work with youth focused organisations like NYDT to engage council and demand a stake and quota on the allocation of space and jobs in the new complex,” said Alfred Ncube.

We have capable, qualified and experienced young people in various fields throughout the 29 wards in Bulawayo. All these people can provide labour for the project. We even have people that have been operating as vendors at the terminus since ages ago; they must be given first preference when it comes to allocation of vending stalls. I think we need to seriously guard against corruption in the project,” said Mpumelelo Ncube, a former youth councillor.

Nqobile Malikongwa said that for young people to simply wait to be left out before they take action will not benefit them in any way.

“We cannot wait until the damage has been done and we cannot just sit and complain. We need to be proactive and make sure that the potential for marginalisation is completely dealt with before the project even begins, that is the only way we can guarantee our benefit from the project,” he said.

The Bulawayo City Council recently announced the identified temporary sites that would be used as commuter omnibus termini and vending sites for those currently operating at Basch Street Terminus popularly known as Egodini.