adminSpeaking at a fundraising cocktail held on Monday evening at Bulawayo Holiday Inn, member of the taskforce, Babongile Sikhonjwa said it was all systems go for Saturday’s ceremony, as they had now paid the Bulawayo City Council for the use of both halls.
On Wednesday last week, Bulawayo city fathers denied the committee’s request for free use of the Large and Small City halls from Monday to Sunday the 17th of February, as they felt it would add further strain on their coffers. Council maintains the right to grant free use of its facilities for national events such as Independence celebrations.
“I am happy to announce that we have managed to pay the council for the use of the City Hall. Despite the reports in the press last week, which were true, but slightly misleading, everything is now in order and we have managed to pay council for the use of the City Hall,” he said.
Sikhonjwa said a successfully organised Namas would be great credit to Bulawayo, as it would show that the city had the capacity to host high profile events. He encouraged people to support the taskforce, as a failure to hold a successful Nama ceremony on Saturday would reflect badly on the whole city, not just the organising committee.
“People should not go around saying this is the event eyabo Sikhonjwa labo Jomo. That is not true because this is something that belongs to the City of Bulawayo as a whole. If Saturday’s ceremony is a flop it will reflect badly on the whole city of Bulawayo not just the organising taskforce,” he said.
Coordinator of the committee, Jomo Mhone, thanked the community of Bulawayo for the support that they had given the taskforce thus far, while encouraging others to help in any way that they can.
“I would like to thank those that have contributed to the organisation of the Namas so far. A lot of people and organisations have lent a hand and we would like to thank them for that. People are encouraged to help in any way that they can, be it volunteer work or cash donations” he said.
The fundraising cocktail was held in order to raise funds for outstanding expenses that the taskforce still has to cover, which include payment for artistes scheduled to perform on the night. Companies that pledged support during the evening included the Grain Marketing Board, which promised an unspecified sponsorship package.
Tickets for Saturday’s ceremony are now available at the National Art Gallery offices, the Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo offices and Providence Sounds offices. Tickets are going for $10 and $20 for the VIP section. Only 300 tickets are available.
Online Reporter