Bulawayo Agenda to hold ideas festival

Ronald Moyo

Editor

Bulawayo Agenda has announced that it will hold its sixth annual ideas festival in Bulawayo on from 31 October till 2 November to discuss issues that affect societal development in Zimbabwe.

In a statement released over the weekend, Bulawayo Agenda Executive director Thabani Nyoni said the ideas festival is aimed at providing solutions for the development of Zimbabwe.

“The main aim of the event is to proffer solutions in terms of how we can collectively see and envision a better Zimbabwe,” he said.

“This is a unique opportunity for ordinary citizens to get a closer appreciation of the work done by civic society organisations and how they can take part in the campaign for a democratic society.”

Nyoni added that the event will also highlight the challenges faced by rural communities and traditional leaders in accessing justice

Bulawayo Agenda Head of Research and Information, Mmeli Dube said the festival running under the theme, “Re – imagining a Republic of ideas” will also bring together the Civic Society, Government, Business, Church and ordinary citizens around Zimbabwe and in the SADC region to share ideas and find solutions to governance and social challenges.

“The festival is a unique and hybrid platform established by Bulawayo Agenda on the firm belief that ‘ideas run the world’ and if given space, they could resolve a lot of our governance and social problems,” he said.

“The festival will feature more than six activities over the two days which include leaders conferences, arts performances, film festival and exhibition at the Bulawayo City Hall car park.”

Last year the Bulawayo Agenda ideas festival ran under the theme, “battle of Ideas” with guest speakers such as the then Minister of Water Resources Development and Management Samuel Sipepa – Nkomo, MDC secretary general Priscilla Misihairabwi – Mushonga, former Bulawayo Mayor Thaba Moyo and a number of Members of Parliament and Civil society organisations featuring in the event.