Delta Reaffirms Bulawayo Roots with US$35 Million Belmont Brewhouse Investment

DELTA Corporation has reaffirmed its long-standing ties with the City of Kings and Queens with the launch of a new US$35 million brewhouse project at its Belmont Manufacturing Plant in Bulawayo.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, Delta Corporation Board Chairman Todd Moyo said the investment marks both “a tribute to our legacy and an investment in our future.”

“It gives me great pride and joy to stand before you this morning for this historic moment the groundbreaking of Delta Beverages’ new brewhouse right here in the City of Kings and Queens, Bulawayo,” Moyo said.

Moyo reminded guests that Bulawayo holds a special place in Delta’s history. “Bulawayo is the birthplace of the Sable Brewery, which officially opened on 28 October 1950. This city gave life to the company that has become Zimbabwe’s largest beverages manufacturer,” he said.

Despite many industries relocating to Harare over the decades, Moyo emphasized that Delta has remained “deeply rooted in Bulawayo.” “By investing here again, we reaffirm our faith in this great city its people, its talent, its industrious spirit, and its future as Zimbabwe’s industrial heartbeat.”

The new brewhouse, he said, represents Delta’s determination to “reinvest, reindustrialize, and reenergize Bulawayo.” The Belmont brewery upgrade will cost around US$35 million, which includes a US$17 million packaging project featuring a second packaging line, new fermentation vessels, and ancillary equipment. Once complete, the plant’s overall capacity will rise to 1.5 million hectolitres per year.

Moyo noted that the project will create jobs during construction and support local contractors, engineers, artisans, and suppliers particularly from Bulawayo and nearby communities.

“This project is not only about beer it is about jobs, skills, and growth,” Moyo added.

The chairman revealed that Delta has been investing between US$40 million and US$50 million annually to modernize and expand operations nationwide. These include upgrades such as a returnable glass packaging line and fermentation tanks at Southerton Brewery in Harare, a Chibuku Super plant at Harare Brewery for the sorghum beer portfolio, and a new PET packaging line at the Graniteside plant for soft drinks. Delta has also invested in new freight and direct delivery vehicles to ensure efficient nationwide distribution.

Moyo highlighted Delta’s vital role in Zimbabwe’s economy. “On average, Delta pays between USD$18 to USD$20 million monthly in taxes such as excise duty, sugar tax, VAT, and PAYE, in addition to company taxes and import duties.” He said the new investment will strengthen Delta’s local sourcing strategy, supporting Zimbabwean farmers, packaging suppliers, and logistics providers.

Moyo thanked the Bulawayo City Council, regulators, and local partners for their support. He appealed to city authorities to continue prioritizing reliable water supply and municipal services for both industry and residents. “We value the ongoing collaboration on equipping boreholes at the Nyamandhlovu aquifers, which are vital for Bulawayo’s water security. We are hopeful that the Shangani Dam project will alleviate water challenges,” the Board Chairman said.

He also called on ZESA and other utility providers to “prioritize industrial zones and collaborate closely with the City Council and private sector.” Moyo added that Delta has already partnered with the city in resurfacing Lemington Road, expanding a section of the Harare highway near its Fairbridge Brewery, and installing a water line into Umguza.