Important dates/events in the evolution of Bulawayo over the past 120 years
Factmore Dzobo Senior Reporter
1893, 4th November – Colonial forces occupy Lobengula’s home, eMahlabathini.
1894, 1st June – Bulawayo declared a town outside Maxim Hotel, Fife Street. 1894 – 1897 – Bulawayo run by Sanitary Board with 50 % elected representation under the Cape of Good Hope Municipal Act of 1882.
1894, September – Local by-law prohibits all people of colour from using pavements.
1896, march – August – Ndebele uprising or Umvukela 1. Settlers take to laager and many battles around the town.
1897, 27th October – Bulawayo declared a town Municipality.
1897, 23rd November – First election of nine councillors for Bulawayo Town Council.
1897, 24th November – First Bulawayo Town Council appointed under Mayor, I H Hirschler.
1903, 11th November – First appeal for African representation through a “Native Vigilance Board.” The petition was ignored.
1913 – First brewery of opaque beer was built in the Old Location, revenue from which was used to build a community hall. Later closed, the building is now part of the MaKhumalo Beerhall in Makokoba.
1929, 24th – 30th December – The “Manyika Riots”.
1941, August – Election of the first Native Advisory Board
1943, 4th November – Bulawayo becomes a City.
1944, 30th June – Hillside Town Management Board absorbed in Bulawayo City.
1948, 22nd October — Sauerstown, Kenilworth and Rowena Town Boards absorbed into Bulawayo.
1948, April — The Bulawayo General Strike
1960, 24th — 27th July – The Zhii Riots. Further ongoing African civil unrest until 1962.
1961, June — Bulawayo city proposes direct African representation in council. Efforts prevented by Rhodesian Front Government.
1968 – Township Advisory Board appointed allowing for African representation and involvement in City Affairs.
1970, 1st April – Town Boards of Bellevue, Waterford, Northvale, Richmond, Burnside, Woodville and Municipal farms of Hyde Park and Valley Farm absorbed into “Greater Bulawayo”.
1979 — Racial segregation of residential areas lifted.
1979, 16th August — Michael Ndubiwa appointed Deputy Town Clerk, the first African to a senior position. He was appointed Town Clerk in 1984.
1980, 18th April – Independence
1980, 9th – 10th November – Battle of Bulawayo or Entumbane I
1981, 8th – 12th February – Battle of Bulawayo or Entumbane II
1981, 12th June – First African Mayor installed, Naison K Ndlovu
1996, 4th June – Twinning with Aberdeen, Scotland
1987, 22nd December – Unity Accord brings political stability to Matabeleland.
1987, 1st July – Loss of Bulawayo’s pioneer electricity service to Government through ZESA.
1996, 19th October – Appointment of first Executive Mayor, Abel.N.T. Siwela.
2011, 23rd September – Twinning with Durban South Africa
2012, 19th October – Twinning with Polokwane, South Africa.
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