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Factmore Dzobo Senior Reporter
Bulawayo will tomorrow reverberate into song and dance as the city celebrates 120 years of existence.
People from all walks of life are expected to converge at the City Hall car park, where the main celebrations will be held.As a prelude  to the main celebrations tomorrow, the city will today hold a book sale and basking session at Zonke Izizwe shopping centre where apart from buying books, residents will enjoy open air music. In the evening, the city together with the Academy of Music will play host to the Hellenic School Choir and Orchestra.

Bulawayo City Council public relations officer Bongiwe Ngwenya said the residents should come in their numbers to celebrate their city’s milestone achievement.

She said a number of companies that have been in existence for over hundred years in the city are also expected to join in the celebrations.

“Everything is now in place and we are inviting people from all walks of life to come in their large numbers to witness the historic day in style. A lot of entertainment from various artistes is lined up to spice the momentous day tomorrow at City Hall car park,” she said.

The Mayor, Councillor Martin Moyo, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in the Metropolitan province of Bulawayo Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo and various speakers are expected to address the gathering.

Clr Moyo said tomorrow was a day for the people of Bulawayo to celebrate the city’s history from its humble beginnings from a village in 1894 to a modern city. He said the day was also set to recognise and reflect on the past, present and the city’s future.

“As the city remembers 120 years of existence tomorrow, my council joins residents in celebrating this milestone achievement. The celebrations will recognise important milestones such as the arrival of the first train and the setting up of the Native Advisory Board taking into cognisance that Bulawayo  was the first city to establish home ownership schemes for Africans,” said Clr Moyo.

According to a schedule of events released by the city last week, as part of the main celebrations, the local authority and the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) will offer a free train ride to and from Figtree.

After the main celebrations tomorrow, the city will also hold a teacher and student concert at the Academy of Music on June 4, a golf challenge at Harry Allen Golf Club on June 7, and a City of Bulawayo walk and braai on the same day. The walk will start from the City Hall to Hillside dams, the venue for the braai.