News / Local
Council turns down Joshua Nkomo honour
14 Mar 2014 at 08:42hrs | Views
THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has turned down a request by the Joshua Nkomo National Foundation (JNNF) to set up a permanent structure close to the late Vice-President's statue along Jason Moyo Street, saying it would endanger the lives of pedestrians.
According to council minutes, director of engineering services Simela Dube said the local authority had received an application from the JNNF to set up a permanent base along Jason Moyo Street as part of efforts to relive Nkomo's legacy.
"The foundation further stated in their application that during the multi-sectoral meetings held during the construction of the pedestal, it had been suggested that a structure be erected to enable visitors to the statue to have an opportunity to obtain Nkomo souvenirs," read the minutes.
Dube added: "From a town planning perspective, it was not prudent to set up a business in the middle of the road as this compromises safety of both users and visitors to the business.
"Allowing such an activity in the middle of the road might endanger the lives of pedestrians. It should be noted that Jason Moyo Street and 8th Avenue was not yet a mall, but a road.
"It was this department's considered view that the applicants would look for office space within the vicinity and sell the promotional materials."
Dube said Nkomo's souvenirs could also be sold from the museum in Matsheumhlope and other national museums since the statue was a national monument.
Council resolved that the application by the JNNF be not acceded to and that the foundation "looks for offices from nearby buildings to run their operations (and) that the foundation may, on application, carry out promotions in the vicinity of the statue periodically".
In December, the mock mall was opened to coincide with the official unveiling of Nkomo's statue on Unity Day (December 22) and council blocked the roads to create space for a pedestrian mall.
The foundation indicated that they would engage council and the government for the mall to be made a permanent feature.
According to council minutes, director of engineering services Simela Dube said the local authority had received an application from the JNNF to set up a permanent base along Jason Moyo Street as part of efforts to relive Nkomo's legacy.
"The foundation further stated in their application that during the multi-sectoral meetings held during the construction of the pedestal, it had been suggested that a structure be erected to enable visitors to the statue to have an opportunity to obtain Nkomo souvenirs," read the minutes.
Dube added: "From a town planning perspective, it was not prudent to set up a business in the middle of the road as this compromises safety of both users and visitors to the business.
"Allowing such an activity in the middle of the road might endanger the lives of pedestrians. It should be noted that Jason Moyo Street and 8th Avenue was not yet a mall, but a road.
"It was this department's considered view that the applicants would look for office space within the vicinity and sell the promotional materials."
Dube said Nkomo's souvenirs could also be sold from the museum in Matsheumhlope and other national museums since the statue was a national monument.
Council resolved that the application by the JNNF be not acceded to and that the foundation "looks for offices from nearby buildings to run their operations (and) that the foundation may, on application, carry out promotions in the vicinity of the statue periodically".
In December, the mock mall was opened to coincide with the official unveiling of Nkomo's statue on Unity Day (December 22) and council blocked the roads to create space for a pedestrian mall.
The foundation indicated that they would engage council and the government for the mall to be made a permanent feature.
Source - newsday
