Bulawayo, My Home


Apparently, Dr Nkomo’s statue is the only one in Zimbabwe that has been erected to date in honour of a political icon.
- Phathisa Nyathi on The Chronicle, 2020 July 1

There's no place like home. This timeless expression applies in our case more than it normally does to an average person. Bulawayo is and means much more. We've sort of espoused that mantra of saying the best country in Zimbabwe is Bulawayo. I mean, we've once been considered the cleanest city in Southern Africa.

Now, that's not our main cause of our Bulawayo pride. Our love and pride in the city of kings and queens, is much more rooted in the various meaningful things that define this southern city that's a home to more than 650000 people. It dates back to before colonisation. 

It was back in the 1890s that we saw the roots of something worthy of note. The BSAC is widely known and understood to have itched to start their developments and settlements in this beautiful city. But the nature and prowess of the Amajaha had them wisely restrain and keep at bay until they could learn more about this unique people. What I draw from this, is the deep integrity that's not known to be undefileable (that's a word for us)

Further, when the BSAC could establish themselves in 1893 to 1898, they're known to have established deeper roots than they had in the far away Fort Salisbury (now Harare). Bulawayo presented much more attractive benefits than any other city or place within the Zimbabwean plateau. It conveniently linked the white settlers of the BSAC with their families in the Cape of Good Hope. A distance of about 17 days on foot, and about a day by modern wagons. They were much closer to home. 

So they laid down the humble first ever railway line linking the Zimbabwean plateau with the outside world from the humble city that's my home to Mafeking, South Africa. Just like that, Bulawayo became the route city of the country that was Southern Rhodesia. 

Okay, well, Bulawayo is still the route city of the whole country of Zimbabwe, for the reason that whether by plane, railway or by road it is the most convenient place to start from when going to about 4 countries - Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Namibia. How special can a city be guys?

Anyway, one more thing before I forget, Bulawayo is the only city to my knowledge that retained it's name both with colonisation and post colonisation, unlike any other city and town in Zimbabwe. A native name, with a deep meaning. 

The Matobo Hills some 35 km south of Bulawayo are a profusion of distinctive granite landforms, densely packed into a comparatively tight area, that rise up to form a sea of hills.
The Matobo Hills have one of the highest concentrations of rock art in Southern Africa dating back at least 13,000 years. The paintings illustrate evolving artistic styles and also socio-religious beliefs.
- UNESCO

Bulawayo, today has the statue of Father Zimbabwe, Joshua Nkomo at the heart of the city and it's adorned by multitudes locally and abroad. It boasts of the Hillside Dams which are known to have been a sad haven for C. J. Rhodes. Oh, and it has very easy access to the historic C. J. Rhodes' grave at Matopo Hills. City of Kings and Queens.


The Inkululeko Yabatsha School of Arts, a combination of Ndebele and English phrase which means Freedom of the Youth, officially known as IYASA, is a Zimbabwean dance group which is based in Bulawayo, the second capital city of Zimbabwe
- Wikipedia

Like all this stuff is not enough, the city of Kings and Queens is home to various arts groups and organisations that are the pride of Zimbabwe, such as IYASA, Black Umfolosi, Amakhosi Arts, and much more. 

We've beautifully hosted various arts events, worthy of note being the NAMA events, the Bulawayo Arts Awards that have actually been able to capture national attention with grace. This city is so rich with cultural history and beauty - both of people, and the humble and meaningful structures. 

Now, more - an organisation tracking talent in gospel arts, everywhere and with determination has set here as well. Currently targeting to get 300 gospel artists that need training, coaching, recording, marketing on radio stations, TV channels and newspapers and more, is Talent Trackers Trust. These artists will get all this package for free up until 31st December 2020. After then, there will be a fee to new members. We can't wait to go further making this home - Bulawayo - more warm and beautiful. 

Join Talent Trackers now. 

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