Online Reporter
Peter Matika, [email protected]
BULAWAYO City Hall has always been one of those places people recognise without thinking twice. It stands at the centre of the city, familiar and steady, but over the years some of its features had quietly faded.
One of them was the fountain by the main entrance, which had sat dry for decades. Now, after a long time, water is flowing again, and it has brought back a sense of life that many people had almost forgotten.
The fountain has been revived as part of efforts by the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to improve public spaces and restore the city’s image. It may seem like a small change, but it has made a noticeable difference. People are stopping again, taking pictures, and simply spending time around the area. It is beginning to feel like a place people want to be.
Bulawayo deputy mayor, Councillor Edwin Ndlovu, said the work is part of a wider effort to rebuild confidence in how the city is run, starting with what residents see every day.
“Before we speak about large-scale service delivery, we must fix what is in front of us. Our public spaces must inspire confidence and hope among residents,” he said.
The return of the fountain is being seen as a small but important sign that things are slowly improving. Ndlovu said while there are still bigger challenges facing the city, paying attention to public spaces also matters.
He said that taking care of places like City Hall helps shape how people feel about Bulawayo. The city has always been known for being clean and well-run, and restoring these landmarks helps bring back that reputation.
The refurbishment is now almost complete, with only a few final touches left before everything is officially handed over. Like many projects, it faced delays, mainly because of limited funding, which remains a challenge for the council.
Attention is now also turning to the City Hall clock, another well-known feature that has not been working for some time. Fixing it will not be cheap, and the council is now appealing for help.
“We are also intending to fix the clock, although it is expensive to do so. We are appealing for donations from well-wishers to help us fix our legendary clock,” said Ndlovu.
He said the council plans to reach out to stakeholders and members of the public who may be willing to assist.
“We are appealing for support from stakeholders and well-wishers to help restore the clock, which is also a key part of our heritage,” said Ndlovu.
The revived fountain is not just about appearance. It is also expected to help small businesses operating around City Hall. When a place looks welcoming, more people are likely to stop, and that brings opportunities.
Ndlovu said projects like this can support both tourism and local business activity.
“Our vision is to become a smart and sustainable city by 2030. Projects like this contribute to that vision while also enhancing tourism and local economic activity,” he said.
He added that the work fits into the city’s long-term plans.
“Our vision as a city is to be a smart and sustainable city by 2030. Therefore, these projects speak directly to smartness and sustainability,” said Ndlovu.
Residents have welcomed the changes, saying they remind them of what Bulawayo used to be known for. The space around City Hall feels more inviting again, and people are beginning to spend more time there.
For vendors who work nearby, the difference is already clear. Curio seller Fisani Moyo said business had been slow for a long time, but things are starting to pick up.
“Business had been slow for a long time because there was nothing attracting people to stop here. Now that the fountain at Bulawayo City Hall is working again, we are already seeing more people coming to take pictures and browse our items,” said Moyo.
He said when the area looks clean and lively, people are more willing to stop and buy.
“When the place looks lively and well-maintained, tourists feel more comfortable stopping and buying. This refurbishment is a good move for us. It also gives the city a good image. When visitors come and see such features working, they take that positive impression back with them.”
Flower vendor Thokoza Mpofu said the change has also been good for her business, especially because people now spend more time in the area.
“The area looks beautiful again. The sound of the water and the clean surroundings are attracting more customers, especially those buying flowers for special occasions. People are now spending more time around the City Hall and that helps our sales because they are no longer rushing through the area like before. We hope council will continue maintaining the fountain because when things fall apart again, it affects our livelihoods directly.”
For many people, the return of the fountain might seem like a small thing. But it has brought back a sense of pride and calm to a place that means a lot to the city. Sometimes, it is these simple changes that remind people that things can get better.
