The Republic of South Korea has donated medical equipment and a vehicle to the City of Bulawayo in a move expected to improve maternal and primary healthcare delivery across the province.
The donation was handed over by the Embassy of the Republic of South Korea during a ceremony held alongside the Korea Festival 2025 in Bulawayo.
“On behalf of Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, I extend heartfelt gratitude to the people and government of Korea for the generous donation,” Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Funds, Judith Ncube said.
She also said, “This thoughtful gesture will significantly enhance our healthcare delivery system, especially in our city clinics, and will go a long way in strengthening maternal healthcare services for our community.”
Partnership in Development
Minister Ncube said the donation was a reflection of the “long-standing and productive partnership” between Zimbabwe and the Republic of Korea. Much of this collaboration has been advanced through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), which has supported training programmes, capacity building, sponsorship and technical expertise in Zimbabwe for many years.
She also recognised the efforts of the KOICA Alumni Association of Zimbabwe (KAAZ), noting the role played by its Vice President, Ms Sitembile Mangena, a senior government official in Bulawayo and a graduate of the Korean Government Scholarship Programme, in facilitating the latest donation.
“This is a testament to the positive impact of Korean–Zimbabwean cooperation,” Ncube remarked.
Future Prospects
Looking forward, both countries are considering a twinning arrangement between Bulawayo Metropolitan Province and Jeonbuk Province of South Korea. Authorities believe such an initiative could widen collaboration in health, education, economic development and governance.
“As a province, we aim to involve ordinary people in such initiatives, and Bulawayo, as a cultural hub, is well placed to lead in this exchange,” Ncube said.
She added, “We highly value this partnership and look forward to building a brighter future for our respective citizens.”
Four Decades of Relations
Zimbabwe and the Republic of Korea established diplomatic relations in 1980, the year of Zimbabwe’s independence. Since then, the relationship has been characterised by technical cooperation, training and development assistance.
Through KOICA, many Zimbabwean professionals have studied in Korea, while Korean experts and resources have been deployed to assist in key sectors including agriculture, education and public health.