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Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
BULAWAYO mayor Councillor Solomon Mguni yesterday urged residents to conserve water and pay their bills on time.

He said this during the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Bulawayo’s declaration as a city and commended the church for being the custodians of the moral and spiritual fibre of the community.

Bulawayo was declared a city on November 4 which was on a Sunday in 1943 and in previous years, the day has been commemorated on a Sunday closest to the 4th of November.

In his inaugural civic service held at the Celebration Church yesterday, Cllr Mguni said the church was critical in renewing and reviving Bulawayo.

“We thank the religious fraternity for being good custodians of the moral and spiritual fibre of our community. As council we believe God is working behind the scenes to restore, renew and revive Bulawayo,” said Cllr Mguni.

He said council remains committed to the development of the City of Kings.

“I assure you that if we work together as a team, we can take the City of Kings to greater heights. Bulawayo has a mandate to pray and partner with the Almighty God for this city to achieve its great destiny.

“All things are possible to them who believe and as a city we are expectant of God to do exceedingly, abundantly and above we can think or imagine,” he said.

“The City of Bulawayo will be mentioned amongst some of the greatest cities in the world and we pray that the Lord Almighty will bring this to fulfilment”.
Cllr Mguni appealed to residents to conserve water while also updating the congregation that the city’s dams were 65,7 percent full with Upper Ncema at 27,5 percent and Umzingwane at 44,39 percent.

“Let us be water wise and use water sparingly. Council’s mandate is to provide excellent and efficient services.

“Citizens on the other hand and have a responsibility to protect Municipal infrastructure and pay for their Municipal Bills timeously. These obligations are stated in our citizens charter,” he said.

He also invited residents of Bulawayo to help develop a beautiful city by paying bills on time as well as protecting the environment and infrastructure.

The civic service is held at the sitting mayor’s church.

Celebration Church Senior Pastor and founder Tom Deuschle in a recorded message beamed during the service said God has not forsaken Bulawayo and has a plan for the city, hence he will breathe new life into it.

Pastor Deuschle said both spiritual and secular leaders have to turn their hearts to God.

The church’s local Pastor Dr Collen Msasanure also emphasised the need to uphold biblical principles and urged Zimbabweans to unite in fighting against legalisation of homosexuality and abortion as this will put the land under calamity by the Lord.

The service was attended Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube, directors, senior council officials and other council staff, government officials and business people.