A number of new suburbs within the City which include Mahatshula and Parklands East have no street names which makes it difficult to locate properties, more so if emergency services like ambulances are needed it is difficult to get these to the required stands on time. The City of Bulawayo took an initiative to engage in a street naming exercise of all unnamed streets in the City.
The exercise is guided by the Council resolution of the 8th August 1990 where Council adopted guidelines for the naming of Public Features including streets. In suburbs which are already developed and have residents residing there, ward Councillors were engaged to liaise with the resident to come up with the street names in line with the guidelines for street naming which were availed to them. The exercise is meant to eventually cover the whole City. In areas/suburbs which are not yet developed the municipal officers used the guidelines as provided for by the Council resolution of the 8th of August 1990 to suggest street names.
The City of Bulawayo is currently updating street names and numbers for Various Townships such as;
The information below gives the background for the naming of the streets.
i. Street Names For Parklands Extension
The Parklands residents held a meeting and forwarded the following names for naming the Streets in Parklands extension. The themes chosen were names of late leaders whom they felt had contributed to the development of our City and Country and indigenous trees
| 1. Nicholas J Mabodoko | BCC Mayor of Bulawayo 1981-1983 |
|---|---|
| 2. Abel N. T Siwela | BCC First Executive Mayor of Bulawayo 1966-2000 |
| 3. Bishop Siphuma | Roman Catholic Priest |
| 4. Bishop Kaslew | Lutheran Church Priest |
| 5. David Ndoda | Salvation Army Priest |
| 6. Reverend Nunu | Methodist Church Priest |
| 7. Rev Manyoba | Methodist Church Priest |
| 8. Dr Joana Davis | Former Medical Doctor |
| 9. J Mkandla | SDA Church Priest |
| 10. Umdlawuzo | Tree |
| 11. Uxakuxaku | Tree |
| 12. Umganu | Tree |
| 13. Flamelily | Tree |
ii. Street Names for Buena Vista
Buena Vista is a privately developed residential suburb that is adjacent to Lochview along the Old Esigodini road. It is a low residential area with over 200 stands. The residents have chosen to have their roads named after indigenous trees and have forwarded the following names;
PROPOSED STREET NAMES:
These names were derived from Indeginous trees which is in line with the Street-naming guidelines which were adopted by Council on the 8th of August 1990
iii. Street Naming for Mahatshula
In Mahatshula, the street names follow the theme of the name of the suburb "Mahatshula", which relates to the 'Amangwe'. Mahatshula was one of the Amangwe people who resided in the suburb in question. The names reflect the history of the Amangwe (Nguni People). The names are based on Nguni Chieftaincy, Nguni Totems and the Amangwe lineage in general. Council on 4 January 2017 adopted the following street names for Mahatshula;
Mahatshula North
The names are based on the Nguni Chieftaincy surnames and totems.
Chiefs
Names and Totems
Mahatshula South
These names were derived from the Amangwe lineage
| 1. Matshina | Son of Mahlahleni (second) Osabeni. |
|---|---|
| 2. Wunda | 1st born of Mahlaleni. |
| 3. Mahlahleni | Chief kaMzilikazi and Lobengula from Osabeni |
| 4. Mahatshula | Brother of Mahlahleni, died very young as a Qhawe |
| 5. Mhlambezi | Ndiweni chief at Nhlambabaloyi/ Nhlambane’s grandfather of Khayisa. |
| 6. Tsamayi | Ndiweni, chief at Zinyama, grandfather to Chief Wasi |
| 7. Wasi | Chief at Zimnyama. |
| 8. Mpini | Chief uSaba |
| 9. Madanga | An early ancestor of the Ndiweni's (Khayisa house). |
| 10. Thambo | Chief Nhlambabaloyi’s and father of Mhlambezi - married to Makhumalo. |
| 11. Mkhulunyelwa | Chief Nhlambabaloyi’s and father of Mhlambezi - married to Makhumalo. Mkhulunyelwa Khayisa's father, son of Mhlambezi. |
| 12. Mqamuko | Lived later at Sankonyana married to Mathebe |
| 13. Amangwe | The name of ethnic group embracing Ndiweni, Mbambo, Zwane. |
| 14. Nkomo | Chief at Ojingeni, father was Mletje brother of Mahiwe |
| 15. Mletje | Chief at Ojingeni |
| 16. Mahiwe | Queen and sister to Nkomo |
| 17. Mpeliyana | Married to King Lobengula, belonged to Osabeni, mother of Nguboyenja |
| 18. Gibixhegu | Where Khondwane, Queens, Princes and Princesses lived. It was near Bushstick/ Falcon College |
| 19.Mahuwe Ndiweni | Daughter of Mletsha the chief of Ugingo |
The major road that gives access to Mahatshula from Harare Road is named Mahatshula drive.
iv. Street Names for Emhlangeni Township
Emhlangeni township was named after King Lobengula’s paddock ‘umlaga’ loosely called ‘isibaya’ that was used for keeping cattle that were collected as part of taxes paid to the king from the inhabitants of the kingdom. The place was full of reeds ‘imihlanga’ from which the name was derived. The street names for Emhlangeni suburb were therefore derived from ‘isibaya’ comprising of names given to cattle, activities and things related to and are found in and around the kraal and cattle.
The following are the names;
ADVERT NO :
Date: Friday, 13 May 2022
C. DUBE TOWN CLERK
