News / Local
Main street changed to Joshua Nkomo street by unknown people
02 Jul 2013 at 07:12hrs | Views
UNKNOWN people changed Bulawayo's Main Street to Joshua Nkomo Street while hundreds of people yesterday attended the commemorations of the late Vice-President at Stanley Square.
Dr Nkomo died on 1 July 1999 and since then the commemorations have become an annual event as Zimbabweans celebrate his illustrious life.
Residents said they were surprised to find that the street had been changed without any official notice.
Vendors operating along Main Street said they suspected that the signposts were changed on Sunday night.
Another vendor who identified himself as Mr Artwell Ndlovu said he saw a group of unidentified man "nailing the new sign posts" around the pedestal at the intersection of Main Street and 8th Avenue where the late Dr Nkomo's statue is supposed to be erected.
"On Sunday afternoon we saw a group of men wearing traditional clothes around the place where the statue is supposed to be erected at the corner of 8th Avenue. We thought it was part of Dr Nkomo's commemorations," said Mr Ndlovu.
The news crew observed that the "new" signposts were made of wood painted in black. Some of the signposts were nailed on the trees while some are tied to cover the original street sign.
Yesterday at about 10am a group of people were seen dancing around the pedestal supposedly celebrating the changing of the street name.
The renaming of the street was proposed by Bulawayo Governor Cain Mathema who forwarded the idea to the Bulawayo City Council on 29 July 2006.
The council's Town Lands and Planning Committee adopted the proposal in 2007, saying there was a need to preserve Dr Nkomo's legacy for the benefit of future generations.
However, the proposal has not been implemented to date.
Contacted for comment Dr Nkomo's daughter, Mrs Thandiwe Nkomo Ibrahim said the family was not aware of the renaming of the street.
"We knew that the street was to be renamed in our father's name but we are not aware that the development has been finally implemented," she said.
Council also distanced itself from the issue.
"We are not sure who did that. However, you can send your questions in writing so that we verify with senior officials," said Miss Bongiwe Ngwenya, a public relations officer.
Dr Nkomo died on 1 July 1999 and since then the commemorations have become an annual event as Zimbabweans celebrate his illustrious life.
Residents said they were surprised to find that the street had been changed without any official notice.
Vendors operating along Main Street said they suspected that the signposts were changed on Sunday night.
Another vendor who identified himself as Mr Artwell Ndlovu said he saw a group of unidentified man "nailing the new sign posts" around the pedestal at the intersection of Main Street and 8th Avenue where the late Dr Nkomo's statue is supposed to be erected.
"On Sunday afternoon we saw a group of men wearing traditional clothes around the place where the statue is supposed to be erected at the corner of 8th Avenue. We thought it was part of Dr Nkomo's commemorations," said Mr Ndlovu.
The news crew observed that the "new" signposts were made of wood painted in black. Some of the signposts were nailed on the trees while some are tied to cover the original street sign.
The renaming of the street was proposed by Bulawayo Governor Cain Mathema who forwarded the idea to the Bulawayo City Council on 29 July 2006.
The council's Town Lands and Planning Committee adopted the proposal in 2007, saying there was a need to preserve Dr Nkomo's legacy for the benefit of future generations.
However, the proposal has not been implemented to date.
Contacted for comment Dr Nkomo's daughter, Mrs Thandiwe Nkomo Ibrahim said the family was not aware of the renaming of the street.
"We knew that the street was to be renamed in our father's name but we are not aware that the development has been finally implemented," she said.
Council also distanced itself from the issue.
"We are not sure who did that. However, you can send your questions in writing so that we verify with senior officials," said Miss Bongiwe Ngwenya, a public relations officer.
Source - chronicle
