Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association

29/01/2026

PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

28 January 2026

BVTO Mourns Fallen Vendors and Calls for Urgent Action on Safe and Decent Trading Spaces

The Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Organization (BVTO) has learnt with profound shock and sadness of the tragic loss of two informal traders and the injury of (17) seventeen others following an incident in which a commuter omnibus reportedly suffered brake failure and crashed into vendors at the intersection of 6th Avenue and Lobengula Street in Bulawayo.

BVTO conveys its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and loved ones during this painful time. We also wish those who sustained injuries a speedy and full recovery.

This heartbreaking incident once again exposes the extreme vulnerability faced daily by informal economy workers who earn their livelihoods in unsafe, unplanned, and congested public spaces.

While we acknowledge that road traffic accidents are sometimes inevitable due to multiple contributing factors, the continued absence of safe, decent, and properly designated trading spaces significantly increases the risk to lives and livelihoods.

In this regard, BVTO urgently calls for completion of market hubs such as the long awaited Egodini Mall, city-wide decongestion dialogue and decisive action, involving the City of Bulawayo, central government, transport authorities, traders’ representatives, and other relevant stakeholders.

Proactive planning, enforcement that is humane and consultative, and the provision of alternative trading spaces can meaningfully reduce the likelihood and severity of such tragic incidents.

We further call upon all stakeholders—government, private sector, civil society, and the public at large—to come together in solidarity and provide support to the affected families. Those who lost their lives and those injured were breadwinners, working honestly to sustain their households when tragedy struck.

As BVTO, we pledge our full commitment to work with all partners willing to offer any form of support—material, financial, psychosocial, or otherwise—to the affected families. We also reaffirm our readiness to engage constructively with authorities and stakeholders in finding lasting, humane, and sustainable solutions that safeguard both livelihoods and human life.

Let this tragedy be a turning point—one that compels us to move beyond condolences to concrete action.

Issued by:
Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Organization (BVTO)
Cell: +263713635908 +263 773268187

11/12/2025

Today we visited two hardworking community groups: PROPA in Emakhandeni and Olesipho Deals in Nkulumane. The purpose of the visit was to check in on their progress, understand the challenges they are facing, and explore opportunities, improvements, and potential threats in their operations.

PROPA continues to manufacture rich, healthy, locally made peanut butter that has become a favourite in many households.
Olesipho Deals is producing delicious dairy juices and smooth baobab coffee, adding vibrant flavour and creativity to local markets.

Despite the obstacles that come with running small enterprises, both groups continue to push forward with determination and a clear sense of purpose.

If you’d like to support their work or order their products, kindly contact BVTO at +263 77 325 1321

Let’s continue uplifting community businesses and strengthening local livelihoods. 🌱✨

25/11/2025

BVTO’s Executive Committee recently held a strategic review meeting to reflect on the journey through 2025. The team took time to celebrate key achievements, assess lessons learnt, and engage in meaningful feed forward planning.

This session marked an important step in strengthening our work, deepening accountability, and shaping a focused path forward. Here's to continued growth and impact! 💼✨

12/11/2025

We’re live from Stanley Hall in Makokoba for the TVET Graduation Ceremony of the Solar Installation and House Wiring course! 🎓

Today marks a powerful milestone as young people graduate with practical, future-forward skills that support clean energy and self-reliance in Zimbabwe’s evolving economy.

We’re honoured to be joined by esteemed guests and partners who made this journey possible — with speakers from Bulawayo City Council, Plan International, the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, BVTO, and Guest of Honour, The Mayor, sharing insights on the course’s impact and vision.

This moment is a celebration of growth, empowerment, and the potential of technical training to unlock sustainable livelihoods. 🌱💡

12/11/2025

Fly high, Madade 🕊

22/10/2025

22/10/2025

Today's launch of the National Youth Empowerment Strategy at the National Youth Empowerment Symposium marks a significant milestone for Zimbabwe's youth! The theme 'Empower the youths, secure the future' highlights the crucial role young people play in shaping the country's future. Thanks to the Safe and Inclusive Cities project, supported by Plan International Zimbabwe for driving youth empowerment efforts and recognizing the progress made so far. Here's to continued momentum and impactful youth-led development! 🇿🇼 Michael Mdladla Ndiweni Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Hivos Regional Office Southern Africa The City of Bulawayo Elevate Trust Zizo Motion Pictures

10/10/2025

The is happening now at NUST,Bulawayo under the theme ' cities - building a '. Our from the Plan International Zimbabwe supported Safe and Inclusive Cities and Hivos Regional Office Southern Africa supported programs are participating through presentation of their green innovations.

Thank you to our partners who have generously supported this event, facilitated through Elevate Trust. Various high schools from The City of Bulawayo are in attendance and showcasing their various innovations to green up the city and grow themselves into leading of tomorrow.

12/09/2025

Following the completion of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Zimbabwe supported 6 weeks “Empowering Urban Youths with the Skills and Knowledge to Harness the Economic and Health Dividends of the Green Transition” Entrepreneurship Training program, 8 out of 30 young people within The City of Bulawayo received grant support today, for growing and strengthening their businesses. The training was delivered by Hivos Regional Office Southern Africa through Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association in the city.

The received equipment aimed at enhancing their current businesses, following pitches done to a panel of judges that then selected them for continued support. From equipment to machinery for manufacturing of themed foods, the youths will now take forward the theory aspect from the training to practically enhance their businesses.

In attendance where key partners including Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Dev. Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Zim through the (HEEP) Zimbabwe, The City of Bulawayo and the national Office of the President, without whom the project would not have got as far as it has. Their strategic focus and assistance, particularly shown through the continued guidance of the young people, has ensured the city has a group of well capable champions to pioneer and spearhead and growth of the agricultural livelihood sector.

Aimed at empowering young people to lead sustainable, climate-resilient urban food systems, the training equipped youth in smart agriculture, value addition, , and engagement, equipping a new generation of youth leaders to address the challenges of climate change and food insecurity in urban settings.

As indicated by our partners, this activity officially endorses the nation’s focus on growing the youth, and sectors, which are all crucial in ensuring the steadfast growth of the nation’s economic and livelihood dividends. We could not be more proud of these young people who have shown continued dedication towards addressing current challenges faced by the city.

Through this initiative, all delegates simultaneously hoped for continued engagement and support to be shown to other young people to also curb current idle behaviors and tendencies that threaten the society as a whole, such as drug abuse and illicit practices.



Urban Futures

08/09/2025

Meet The City of Bulawayo Working Group Apex Board dedicated to ensuring the continued growth and support of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the city. This is part of our continued drive to create opportunities for to run viable businesses, improve their livelihoods, and meaningfully participate in public discourses for their own development.

We encourage all with vested interests in being part of ensuring the continues to actively feed into the now and beyond to contact the board on the contacts provided.

05/09/2025

Today, participating in the Plan International Zimbabwe supported Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) program Solar Installation and House Wiring Class from location in The City of Bulawayo collaborated with Waste to Treasure for the Campaign! They rolled up their sleeves and picked up litter at Isilwane Youth Center and its surrounding areas, all in the spirit of and beautiful! 🌿💚

05/09/2025

We encourage all to continue to actively participate in this initiative to build a drug rehabilitation center for The City of Bulawayo by donating USD$1 at our offices or various ward MSMEs chairpersons.
PLEASE ensure you get a receipt from this designated individuals.

Let us all own this initiative and be part of building a better, drug free, safe future.

Want to be part of a initiative to ensure sustainable and continued interventions against drug abuse in the country? We have the solution for you!

All MSMEs and other stakeholders are being called to action:
🎙🗣DONATE just USD$1 at the BVTO offices at Fidelity centre towards the building of a rehabilitation Centre in The City of Bulawayo!