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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected]
A REMARKABLE narrative of growth and transformation is unfolding in Bulawayo’s biggest suburb, Cowdray Park, captivating our imagination as it outpaces even the most established towns. While the population of the city added a mere 12 000 souls in a decade, Cowdray Park is burgeoning into a thriving hub, symbolising a modern-day urban phenomenon.
Nestled within its bounds, Ward 28 stands as a testament to this evolution, teeming with 75 070 people and emerging as the nation’s second most populous ward, trailing only behind Harare’s Budiriro. A narrative of numbers unveiled through the 2022 Population Census, reveals this burgeoning metropolis, eclipsing the likes of Gwanda and Hwange.
Such fast growth has sparked discussions about its future and there are strong proposals to upgrade the suburb to a satellite town. Reverberating with the moniker “Khalanyoni,” it extends its embrace to encompass Wards Six and 15, an outcome of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s delineation efforts in the previous year.
Access to education has been enhanced in this expanding suburb where five primary schools which are Tategulu, Cowdray Park, Mahlathini, Mkhithika Thebe and the newly-minted Vulindlela are serving the community. All these primary schools are feeding Cowdray Park Secondary School which is complemented by a private secondary school, V Mhlophe.
There are so many stories about this suburb, some told, some yet to be told, including how it came to be known as Khalanyoni. Legend has it that it was the nearby Luveve suburb residents who came up with the name because prior to the construction of houses, the area was just a bush with many birds.
While many suburbs dwell in the memories of their elders, Cowdray Park, a product of the mid-1990s, emerges as an “ama2000” suburb, embodying a dynamic spirit woven into the fabric of contemporary times.
Its luminaries, both celebrated and unsung, illuminate Cowdray Park’s narrative. Among these, the resplendent figure of Mthuli Ncube, the nation’s Chief Finance Officer, occupies the limelight, a political aspirant and a shining star of Zanu-PF.
His connection to Cowdray Park reverberates so deeply that even Google’s search algorithms bear witness.
Yet, among these stars, Nkayi South’s representative, Stars Mathe, a pre-Mthuli Ncube luminary, carved her niche. Her house is a stone’s throw from the signature shopping centre, eTerminus or, simply put eTS. There is also the ebullient Kidwell Mujuru, a flamboyant business tycoon, now a councillor navigating the crossroads of Bulawayo’s governance.
Collet Ndlovu, famed for fathering 13 children, presides over the vibrant koMaweba Sports Bar, etching his chapter into the suburb’s narrative.
The suburb is home to journalists such as photographer Dennis Mudzamiri, Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Matabeleland South’s bureau chief, Rutendo Nyeve, Fungai Muderere and Langa Mabhena.
Veteran journalist and former Sunday News Sports Editor Phineas ‘‘Mido’’ Mukwazo is also from Cowdray Park. He was given the nickname Mido after the legendary Egyptian footballer largely for his temperamental character on the field of play. However, he will always tell you that it was more to do with his football skills which matched that of the Egyptian.
Zimbabwe’s own version of Mark Gleeson or indeed the great Peter Drury, Muziwethu Hadebe, with so much knowledge of the game and a wonderful football statistician coupled with a great voice on both radio and television, stays on the other side of the Flyover. Yes, there is a flyover in Cowdray Park.
Cowdray Park’s cultural heartbeat pulses with laughter, courtesy of the Umahlekisa Comedy Club’s director Ntando Van Moyo and co-comedian Nomsa Ms Dee Muleya, each weaving joy into its cross-stitch.
A vibrant community it is, Cowdray Park boasts of revered sports personalities, with referees like Faith Mloyi, Cosmos Nyoni, Tabani Mnkantjo and Mlindeli Ndebele raising its banner high.
Footballers, both past and present, congregate, each contributing their narrative to this evolving tale. The legendary Highlanders defender Dumisani ‘‘Savimbi’’ Nyoni is undoubtedly the oldest of the ex-footballers. The list has Zephania Ngodzo, Anzilom Ndlovu, Chipo Tsodzo, Dazzy Kapenya, Tirivaviri Sithole, Ackim, Adolf Muganyi and Golden Munandi while active players are Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya and Rainmore Pavari.
The likes of Esrom Nyandoro, Honour Gombami, Gilbert Banda, Tapuwa Kapini and Kudakwashe Mahachi have houses in the suburb.
A female footballer who played for the now defunct Bulawayo Chiefs Ladies, Patience Nare also calls Cowdray Park home.
As Cowdray Park grows, its dance continues at eTS, where Emasimini and Kuvukiland Sports bars are found.
Online Reporter