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Sunday News Correspondent
IN a move set to be a first in Matabeleland South, a Gwanda councillor, Thulani Moyo, is working towards the conferment of the freedom of the town honours on the late Father Zimbabwe, Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo and President Mugabe by naming two streets after them.Clr Moyo moved this motion during a full council meeting held at Gwanda council chambers on Wednesday last week.
Clr Moyo said such honour was befitting to the two nationalist leaders whose heroic prowess gave birth to an independent Zimbabwe.
“After realising the great work done by these two icons before and during the post independence period, I felt it was high time the town should honour them by naming streets after them. I identified Saudan Street and Mount Cazalet Road,” said Clr Moyo, adding that Mt Cazalet road would be renamed Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo considering that it connects Gwanda to the late Vice President’s rural home in Maphisa.
“Taking into consideration that President Mugabe and the late Vice President Nkomo fought for our freedom, as council we must recognise the fruits the liberation they brought about. Saudan Street should be named Robert Mugabe. Anyone who passes through Gwanda to either Victoria Falls or Beitbridge uses this,” Clr Moyo said.
Clr Moyo approached Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Abednico Ncube, the President’s Office, provincial administrators office and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development.
According to the Urban Councils Act Chapter 29:15 section 212, Numbering of houses and naming of roads, the council may from time to time assign names to roads within the council area and cause the name of any road to be affixed to or painted on any house, building or other structure fronting upon any part of such road.
The naming of streets is deemed an act of speaking about and remembering shared experiences and values hence an analysis of individual ondonyms (street names) should yield an enriching understanding of a nation’s cultural identities, its constitutive history, the degree of national consciousness and ideological persuasion.
Online Reporter