Online Reporter
Peter Matika, Sunday News Reporter
THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has been urged to review its policies to ensure the revival and revamping of community recreational centres in the city most of which have faced years of neglect.
Ward 5 councillor, Dumisani Nkomo, during a full council meeting last week noted with concern the dire condition of the city’s recreational facilities.
“I recommend that the committee seriously consider places such as Bellevue Recreational Club, which is now a bush, you can mistaken it for a snake park. You can be bitten by puff adders there because it’s now a bush and there has been no lease there for over 13 years,” said Clr Nkomo.
He urged the council to expedite their efforts to reclaim and lease these facilities to individuals or organisations capable of developing them.
“I urge the committee to quickly identify all recreational sites lacking valid leases. These areas should be made accessible to organizations capable of restoring and developing them,” said Clr Nkomo.
“Salukazi Arts Centre managed to secure donor funding for a perimeter fence, but outdated by-laws and policies prevented them from proceeding, even though they had the resources ready,” he said.
Clr Nkomo said there is an urgent need for a review of the city’s policies to make them more adaptable to economic and social realities.
“Our policies must be updated to address today’s circumstances. Fifty years ago, people had disposable income, but now many leases are neglected or in disrepair,” he said.
He highlighted the significance of public-private partnerships as a viable solution.
“We require policies that promote collaboration with those capable of investing in these facilities,” Clr Nkomo said.
He said revitalising the facilities will be a great benefit to the youth, as they lack access to sports, arts, and other developmental activities.
“This would greatly benefit our young people. They lack proper recreational areas. For instance, Bellevue’s tennis courts have become overgrown and unusable. Although the infrastructure is in place, our youth are unable to enjoy these spaces. I urge the committee to revisit the policies and encourage corporate partners to support social responsibility projects,” said Clr Nkomo.
“We must end the practice of awarding 99-year leases to individuals only interested in running bars without providing anything for the arts, sports or youth development — key pillars of our economy.”
The City of Bulawayo recently launched an initiative to restore Central and Centenary Parks, two of the city’s most iconic recreational spaces, following years of neglect that left the once-vibrant parks in a state of disrepair.
The move comes with the appointment of a dedicated committee tasked with overseeing the redevelopment and management of the two parks.
Central and Centenary Parks, which lie between the city’s Suburbs area and the Central Business District, were historically cherished green spaces where residents would gather for leisure, weddings, and study groups.
Separated by the Bulawayo-Gwanda Road, the parks once featured lush lawns, shady trees, and the well-known Centenary Park fountain — a popular backdrop for wedding photos and family outings. Over time, however, the parks lost their charm, succumbing to overgrowth, poor maintenance and reduced activity.
Council has pledged to provide support through its Department of Parks and Recreational Services, which will supply tools, equipment and plant materials needed for the parks’ makeover. The committee will hold quarterly meetings to monitor progress and coordinate with city officials.
For years, Central and Centenary Parks provided much-needed open space for Bulawayo’s residents, from students at nearby institutions such as Bulawayo Polytechnic and Nust to families looking for peaceful places to unwind.
With the new redevelopment effort now underway, the city hopes to breathe new life into these landmarks and restore their place at the heart of Bulawayo’s social and cultural life.
