News / Local
120th anniversary of the city of Bulawayo
28 Mar 2014 at 09:29hrs | Views
Councillor Gift Banda, cuts the ribbon to officially open the "Bulawayo at 120 years" historic exhibition, while the Executive Director of National Museums and Monuments, Dr Godfrey Mahachi looks on.
A historic exhibition commemorating the 120th anniversary of the city of Bulawayo opened at the National History Museum in Bulawayo on Thursday.
This is one of the many activities lined up by the city to celebrate the historic milestone.
Bulawayo attained town status on 1st June 1894 and had its first Municipal Council of 9 elected members in November 1897.
By 1943, due largely to its rapid growth, Bulawayo attained city status under Proclamation 21 of 1943.
The opening of the exhibition titled, "Bulawayo at 120 years" coincided with the Museum Golden Jubilee celebrations.
"Bulawayo's history and its growth into a great industrial centre and one of the country's main tourist attractions shows the residents' desire and commitment to growth and development. This historic display therefore takes pride in the various milestones of Bulawayo as we trace down the city's timeline," said the mayor, Councillor Martin Moyo, in a speech read on his behalf by his deputy, Councillor Gift Banda.
"The past 120 years have been full of adventure and events which have contributed to the present day Bulawayo. It has been marked by certain landmarks which also include the natural history museum which coincidentally celebrates its 50th anniversary in existence in Bulawayo."
The mayor said the exhibition recognised some of the milestones achieved by the city. The first train into present day Zimbabwe arrived in Bulawayo in 1897.
"Bulawayo was also the first city to establish home ownership schemes for Africans. Bulawayo also made history by being the first city to embark on a planned programme of water supply, the first to provide educational facilities before there was any national policy on the subject , and pioneered in having a progressive low cost housing programme and a comprehensive social development blueprint," said Councillor Moyo.
The exhibition runs until the end of the year.
The executive director of National Museums and Monuments, Dr Godfrey Mahachi, in his speech marking the 50th anniversary of the museum, chronicled its history since it was first mooted in 1901.
"In 1901 when Cecil John Rhodes visited Bulawayo for the last time he received two requests, the first from the Chamber of Mines to appoint a geologist and the second from the Rhodesia Scientific Board who wanted a museum to house their growing collection minerals. On 1st of January 1902 the Rhodesia Museum came into being," said Dr Mahachi.
"On 20 March 1964, fifty years ago, the Natural History Museum officially opened its doors to the public but completion of new public and individual displayed has continued up to the present time. It is an impressive circular building, and with its stunning displays and value bale research collections it is the best museum in Southern Africa."
Courtesy of
This is one of the many activities lined up by the city to celebrate the historic milestone.
Bulawayo attained town status on 1st June 1894 and had its first Municipal Council of 9 elected members in November 1897.
By 1943, due largely to its rapid growth, Bulawayo attained city status under Proclamation 21 of 1943.
The opening of the exhibition titled, "Bulawayo at 120 years" coincided with the Museum Golden Jubilee celebrations.
"Bulawayo's history and its growth into a great industrial centre and one of the country's main tourist attractions shows the residents' desire and commitment to growth and development. This historic display therefore takes pride in the various milestones of Bulawayo as we trace down the city's timeline," said the mayor, Councillor Martin Moyo, in a speech read on his behalf by his deputy, Councillor Gift Banda.
"The past 120 years have been full of adventure and events which have contributed to the present day Bulawayo. It has been marked by certain landmarks which also include the natural history museum which coincidentally celebrates its 50th anniversary in existence in Bulawayo."
"Bulawayo was also the first city to establish home ownership schemes for Africans. Bulawayo also made history by being the first city to embark on a planned programme of water supply, the first to provide educational facilities before there was any national policy on the subject , and pioneered in having a progressive low cost housing programme and a comprehensive social development blueprint," said Councillor Moyo.
The exhibition runs until the end of the year.
The executive director of National Museums and Monuments, Dr Godfrey Mahachi, in his speech marking the 50th anniversary of the museum, chronicled its history since it was first mooted in 1901.
"In 1901 when Cecil John Rhodes visited Bulawayo for the last time he received two requests, the first from the Chamber of Mines to appoint a geologist and the second from the Rhodesia Scientific Board who wanted a museum to house their growing collection minerals. On 1st of January 1902 the Rhodesia Museum came into being," said Dr Mahachi.
"On 20 March 1964, fifty years ago, the Natural History Museum officially opened its doors to the public but completion of new public and individual displayed has continued up to the present time. It is an impressive circular building, and with its stunning displays and value bale research collections it is the best museum in Southern Africa."
Courtesy of
Source - www.radiodialogue.com
