adminAuxilia Katongomara Chronicle Reporter
THE Bulawayo City Council has described the late Town Clerk, Middleton Nyoni, as a great visionary who was diligent in his duties. Nyoni, who had been battling a cancer ailment for a long time, died on Sunday at a hospital in Harare where he was receiving treatment.
Yesterday, council officials from various departments accompanied by Deputy Mayor, Councillor Gift Banda, visited the Nyoni family to pay their condolences.
Clr Banda said the local authority had lost a pillar whose experience and expertise had left a void in one of the best-run councils in the country.
“We are not talking of an ordinary man but we are talking of a man who has seen Bulawayo being one of the best run cities in Zimbabwe. It only happens when you have a sound management and that is what he was known for,” said Clr Banda.
The deputy mayor said Nyoni was such a great leader that both young and new councillors looked up to him for guidance.
“We are where we are now because of his guidance and leadership. We all looked up to him for advice,” said Clr Banda who hinted that Nyoni might be buried at Lady Stanley Cemetery considering his dedication and contribution to the growth of the city.
“It might be early to say but I doubt that there is anyone who can question his immense contribution to this city,” he said.
Bulawayo Mayor Clr Martin Moyo on Monday said Nyoni played a key role in enhancing the city’s reputation of efficiency and transparency in running its affairs.
The mayor said some of the major achievements that occurred during Nyoni’s term of office were the establishment of the first local authority Call Centre, development of the first Water and Waste Water Master plan and the setting up of the City of Bulawayo’s Geographic Information System Office.
He had been on sick leave since last year.
Bulawayo City Council senior public relations officer Nesisa Mpofu said a memorial service in honour of Nyoni would be held tomorrow.
“There will be a memorial service at the Large City Hall on Thursday from 3 to 6PM and burial has been set for Friday. Time is to be advised,” said Mpofu.
A family member tasked to speak to The Chronicle at Nyoni’s home in Woodlands suburb was very hostile and said the funeral wake was private.
“We are hurt by the passing on of our father but we prefer to keep this funeral as private as possible but all the same thank you for coming,” he said.
Nyoni is survived by wife, Thabiso, (nee Phaswana) and four daughters.
Mourners are gathered at Number 5 Inglewood Place, Woodlands, Bulawayo.
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