Chronicle Editor
Peter Matika, [email protected]
THE Bulawayo United Residents Association (Bura) celebrated its 60th anniversary last weekend, during which it highlighted its achievements as an organisation that has since its inception advocated better service delivery for Bulawayo residents.
The celebrations were held at White City Stadium, under the theme: “Celebrating 60 Years of Total Commitment.”
Bura chairperson, Mr Winos Dube, said the association was formed in 1964.
He said Bura is the oldest residents’ association in the country and was chaired by the late, Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu, while at some point the late Vice-President John Landa Nkomo served as secretary-general.
“Other people that chaired Bura include the late national hero Sydney Malunga, Toti Khumalo and Edward Simela. Bura was formed to advocate for the development of the city through engagement with various institutions and service providers,” said Mr Dube.
“The main agenda was to provide a voice for the residents of Bulawayo, with the majority being black Zimbabweans. Part of the duties were to also advocate for house ownership in Iminyela, Sidojiwe and Makokoba.”
Mr Dube said the association’s most iconic nationalists and politicians were groomed from the association, despite it being apolitical.
“Bura is an apolitical association. We do not support any political party and neither do we take part in politics. What we focus on is the essence of being a voice for the residents.
“By doing so, members of the organisation are groomed in leadership skills,” said Mr Dube, adding that those with political aspirations are free to join politics but not to let their aspirations affect the association.
Mr Dube said some of the association’s major achievements include the restoration of Mpilo Central Hospital.
“We were approached by the board in 2008. This was one of the worst economic eras in the country. We were informed that the hospital systems were collapsing and we advocated for funds and assistance,” said Mr Dube.
“I remember, BCC provided us with a burial space where 85 bodies were buried in two days with the assistance of transport operators and other service providers.
“We made appeals to other stakeholders such as banks, churches and businesses to adopt some of the wards in an effort to save the hospital.”
He said Bura was a community oriented association committed to improving the lives of residents through information exchange and proactive engagement with Government officials and service providers.
“We not only focus on that but also assist residents with matters such as gender based violence, drug and substance abuse. We are what you can call a frontline in engagement,” said Mr Dube.
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