Chronicle Editor
Tafadzwa Chibukwa
BULAWAYO’S oldest suburb, Makokoba, has always been known as a melting pot of a wide variety of talents.
The suburb holds a special place in the history of the country’s liberation struggle.
Makokoba, the home of early nationalism, evokes memories of the country’s protracted liberation struggle.
It became the epicentre of political activism and the birthplace of African nationalism in Zimbabwe, which ultimately led to the country’s independence from colonialism in April 1980.
Today, the suburb still continues to produce more and more vibrant cultures that still play a massive part in the many various recreational, sports and theatre industries.
When giving praise to the many talents, the many children that have made headlines by their enormous talents, we tend to overlook the platforms, the places where these children were groomed from their grassroots to where they might be presently.
One such place that deserves great recognition for playing a major part in the grooming of the great suburb’s children is Stanley Square and Stanley Hall.
One can never separate the two as they are interlinked.
The hall and the square have stood there, playing a huge role for the community.
Dating back to the colonial era, the community hall has always served as a shelter and home to many community initiatives, be it community meetings, concerts, training, lessons, arts performances and rehearsals among many other roles.
Even the children of Makokoba testify that the hall played a huge role in pre- independence Zimbabwe.
Speaking to Chronicle, one of the beneficiaries of the hall’s great services, Mr Lewis Ndlovu said the hall had given birth to many legends in the arts industry.
“Stanley Hall and Stanley Square have given birth and have also witnessed the rise of most of the musical and arts and craft industries in the country. They were home to legendary artists like Dorothy Masuka as well as many other arts and craft groups.
After independence, it was the home of the legendary Amakhosi Theatre before it moved to the Township Square Cultural Centre at the edge of Makokoba as well as Siyaya.”
“Among many activities that were done at the township square, in the early 90s when it started they used it for karate training and tournaments. The square also hosted one of the biggest and first ever festival in Bulawayo called Inxusa Arts Festival, which made the place so vibrant that other arts groups started flocking to the square and showcase their talents. Even today we still use the place for our shows as Drums of Peace and people still come in their numbers,” said Mr Ndlovu.
While useful for many cultural activities in the community, the two also became perhaps most important for the history of both the township and modern Zimbabwe, the birthplace of nationalism which led to the ultimate goal: the emancipation of the black man in 1980.
Nationalists such as Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, Zipra cadres Cdes Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo, Ackim Ndlovu, Dumiso Dabengwa, Ethan Dube and Sikhwili Moyo among others used Makokoba as a political stringboard from where they mobilised masses to join the liberation struggle.
Mr Ndlovu said most political parties utilised the space for their campaigns as well as for rallies.
“At most times, especially when election season beckoned, you would find Stanley Hall flooded with political parties day after day. Most of them utilised Stanley Hall because they realised that residents spent most of their time there conducting many different activities and as the only gathering space, the hall was the preferable choice,” he said.
Ward 7 residents’ association chairperson, Mr Promise Nqwababa said more needs to be done to preserve the facility.
“Looking back to before independence, the place used to be very active and flooded with people flocking in to witness the endless activities that took place at both the hall and the square. Motivated by their poor background, the people of Makokoba have always strived to prove themselves and aim higher above all in society.
Starting from children to the elderly, the people all contributed immensely to the culture and traditions of the country. Children expressed themselves through arts, music, dance, stories told on stage, written works and music. All were inspired by a need to get out and liberate themselves from the scars of generations of Makokoba’s poverty,” said Mr Nqwababa.
He said both township spaces proved very important to the community as they united the people of Makokoba and Bulawayo as a whole.
“The most important thing about Stanley Square is that everything that was done there was centred on the benefit of the people of Makokoba as well as their empowerment. Most of the activities that took place made sure that the funds that were accumulated there would be channelled towards the improvement of infrastructure, livelihood projects as well as improvement of standards in the suburb,” said Mr Nqwababa.
Both Stanley Hall and Stanley Square are being given a facelift to maintain their status.
Mr Nqwababa said they are happy as residents to have had their requests heard and are excited to see the refurbished Stanley Hall. – @Sagepapie14
Online Reporter