adminBongani Ndlovu Entertainment Correspondent
BULAWAYO will this year celebrate 120 years of existence but some culturalists are questioning the rationale of the event, saying it marks the downfall of the Ndebele state.Bulawayo will be turning 120 years on June 1, 2014.
Amakhosi director Cont Mhlanga had no kind words for those who would celebrate the 120 years, saying it was tantamount to celebrating King Lobengula’s dethronement by the colonialists.
The Ndebele state fell in 1893. Mhlanga said Bulawayo was established in 1871 a year after King Lobengula rose to the throne, succeeding his father, King Mzilikazi.
“I will celebrate alongside others but I will do so in protest. It is celebrating the defeat of King Lobengula. People should wake up, Bulawayo is not 120 years, but 134,” said Mhlanga.
He said colonial misspellings were not corrected and people continue using them.
“Suburbs such as Matsheumhlope are wrongly spelt. The correct one is to say Matshemhlophe. However, we continue using the same name without correcting it,” said Mhlanga.
Praise poet Albert Nyathi said: “There is no harm in celebrating the establishment of the city of Bulawayo in 1871 by King Lobengula.
“This is a way to correct history and make people know our heritage.”
Nyathi called on those in the Diaspora to also commemorate the day as a way of bringing people together.
“Those who cannot make it and are in the Diaspora should set up committees where they can organise themselves and meet and celebrate this feat. In the country we should wear amabhetshu on that day,” he said.
Veteran artiste and National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo director Voti Thebe said 120 years was a time to reflect on how far they had gone as National Gallery of Zimbabwe.
He said as someone who has seen Bulawayo at 75, 100 and now 120 he was looking forward to seeing how the celebrations would bring people together.
“Such celebrations should be part of our culture because they bring people of Bulawayo together. Our curator is working on a programme as we speak,” said Thebe.
He said in 1994 they held an exhibition where people brought antiques as part of the celebrations.
“In 1994 we asked people to bring collectors items like antiques and we held an exhibition for the 100 years,” said Thebe.
Artistes last week submitted their portfolios to the Bulawayo City Council so as to come up with a 120 year logo for the celebrations.
During the centenary celebrations in 1994 various activities were held to mark the milestone.
Online Reporter