KoBulawayo
by Xolani Mavolwane

Bulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe, after the capital Harare. It is located 439km south-west of Harare and it is also a metropolitan province.

The name "Bulawayo" comes from the SiNdebele word Kobulawayo meaning 'place of the persecuted one' or 'place of slaughter'. It is also affectionately known as the 'City of Kings', 'Skies' or 'Blues'.

Bulawayo is situated on the site of the Kraal of the late King Lobengula of the Ndebele, who founded the settlement in 1871, about 15km south-east of the present city centre, over the site formerly known as Gibixhegu. In 1881, the king moved the royal settlement further north, to an area roughly corresponding with Bulawayo's modern northern suburbs near Northlea High School.

Twinned with the city of Aberdeen in Scotland, Bulawayo is a province rich in cultural heritage, art, traditional music and dance.

It is a welcoming multicultural city with residents able to speak at least three of the multiplicty of languages that include English, Ndebele, Zulu, Shona, Xhosa, Kalanga, Suthu and SeSwati.

Bulawayo has long been regarded as the business capital of Zimbabwe and is home to the National Railways of Zimbabwe because of its strategic position near Botswana and South Africa. It is the nearest large city to Hwange National Park, Matopo National Park and Victoria Falls.

Bulawayo is an important transport hub, providing rail links between Botswana, South Africa and Zambia and promoting the city's development as a major industrial centre. The city contains much of Zimbabwe's heavy industry and food processing capability.

The City of Kings is one of the country's most attractive cities, with a pleasing mixture of Victorian and modern architecture, which gives it a unique character. This together with the tree-lined streets and avenues, beautiful parks and friendly people makes it a city of great charm.

The Executive Mayor
Bulawayo is run by an Executive Mayor elected by the citizens of the city. He is assisted by 29 city councilors who represent 29 wards. The current Executive Mayor of the City is Japhet Ndabeni-Ncube.

City Chambers
The Bulawayo City Council is an arm of the Government through the Ministry of Local Government, Housing and Urban Development headed by Dr Ignatius Chombo. The City council sits in the Bulawayo Chambers every Thursday to deliberate on issues affecting the residents of Bulawayo. They have been excelling in their work as evidenced by the charm of the city hall and the city in general.

Twinning
The City of Bulawayo is twinned with the City of Aberdeen, Scotland. The twinning of the two cities enables the sharing of ideas, cultural exchanges and the twinning provides prospective investors with information on Bulawayo or Aberdeen. Plans are underway to twin Bulawayo with a South African city in preparation for the 2010 World Cup.