BULAWAYO Provincial Affairs minister Eunice Sandi Moyo yesterday said the city gave rise to the nationalist movement in Zimbabwe, but is not fully benefiting from the gains of the liberation struggle.
Nqobile Bhebhe Chief Reporter Officiating at Bulawayo’s 120th anniversary at the City Hall, the minister said the city should focus on the future rather than dwell on the past.
“It must be remembered that most nationalist movements and political activism began in Bulawayo for instance the nationalist movement Zapu was formed in Makokoba township with early nationalist leaders like Joshua Nkomo, James Chikerema and Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo,” she said.
“This scenario should teach us as a nation and as Bulawayans that when there is unity of purpose, tribal barriers are discarded and people concentrate on what is good for them, their families and the country at large.”
Sandi Moyo said greed was affecting wealth distribution hence Bulawayo’s failure to get a fair share of the national cake. “Those who were there at the time saw all people as Zimbabweans, not segregating by tribe,” she said.
“But when it was time to eat problems emerged. Greedy people emerged and people who were not greedy did not benefit.
“This year’s celebrations must not only be about the history of the city, but also about planning ahead on ways to further develop our wonderful City of Bulawayo.”
Bulawayo mayor Martin Moyo said as much as the city wanted to celebrate its great past, the future should be everyone’s concern.
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“Through forward planning the city is able to constantly rethink its tools, systems and operations so as to be able to seize the windows of opportunity that present themselves,” he said.
“The past is gone and our mandate is to focus on the present and future. We must come together as a formidable force and commit ourselves to our civic responsibilities of making Bulawayo a great city to live and conduct business in.”
The celebrations came at a time when the city is plagued by massive deindustrialisation rendering thousands of people jobless.
