adminPamela Shumba Chronicle Reporter
EFFORTS are under way to rename eight more streets and some institutions in Bulawayo that still bear colonial names.
The streets and institutions will be named after the country’s liberation war heroes.
According to the latest council report Bulawayo provincial administrator Khonzani Ncube has presented the proposed names changes to council.
One of the streets included in the list was Main Street, which was renamed after the late Vice-President Cde Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo on December 22, 2013.
President Mugabe officiated at the renaming of the street at an event that coincided with the commissioning of the newly rehabilitated Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport and the unveiling of the late Father Zimbabwe’s statue.
“At the meeting held by the provincial committee on the renaming of streets and places on November 28, 2013, a number of recommendations were made,” read the minutes.
In the letter addressed to the Town Clerk, Middleton Nyoni, Ncube advised council to run the proposal through the normal council procedures to attain a council resolution on the matter.
“Please note that the deadline for submission of the resolution to the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing is December 14, 2013,” she said.
Ncube proposed that Fife Street be renamed after the late Cde Nikita Mangena, who was a leading figure of the liberation struggle, while Fort Street would be named after King Mzilikazi, founder of the Ndebele kingdom.
Old Victoria Falls Road would be renamed Kenneth Kaunda Avenue Extension in honour of the of the President of Zambia for his contribution to the liberation struggle of the country.
A proposal was made to rename Lady Stanley Avenue after King Lobengula, the last King of amaNdebele while Connaught Avenue would be named after Sigombe Mathema, a former chief of Gwanda District who died during the liberation struggle.
Coghlan Avenue is expected to be changed to Loziba Avenue. Loziba was a senior wife of King Mzilikazi.
Athlone Avenue would be changed to Lozane Avenue, after the last King of Mambo dynasty while Basch Street is expected to be renamed after Lookout Masuku, a leading figure of the liberation struggle.
A proposal was made to change the name of the Lady Rodwell Martenity hospital to Amhlophe, a Ndebele congratulatory remark on arrival of a new baby, while Richard Morris Hospital would be named Mehlokazulu, meaning “Eyes of the Populace” implying the nature and function of the hospital.
White City Stadium is expected to be changed to Phelandaba Stadium, which means “Where news end” considering that it is a place where most activities are done.
The provincial administrator indicated that possible names were being considered to rename 26 buildings which include Bradlows Building, Pioneer House, Old Mutual Centre, Lapf House and Forestry Commission Building.
She said recommendations were welcome and would be discussed on a date to be advised.
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