Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has proposed allocating US$5,000 annually towards the King Mzilikazi commemorations as part of aplanned partnership with the Mthwakazi kaMzilikazi Cultural Association.
According to the latest full council minutes, the local authority resolved to recommend a standing memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the association to formalise cooperation in preserving and promoting culture and heritage.
The commemorations are held annually in September to celebrate the life and legacy of King Mzilikazi kaMashobane, founder of the Ndebele nation.
The council’s Department of Housing and Community Services sought authority to sign the agreement and provide an annual allocation of US$5,000 from the Arts, Culture and Heritage vote to support the event.
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“The Department sought for Council authority to sign a standing Memorandum of Understanding with the Mthwakazi kaMzilikazi Cultural Association, to spell out areas of co-operation to promote the preservation of our culture and heritage,” the minutes read.
The proposal follows the city’s participation in the King Mzilikazi Day commemorations held at Mhlahlandlela on 5 September 2026.
In a report to council on 18 September, Director of Housing and Community Services Dictor Khumalo said the city had participated in the event through its Corporate Communication Office and Arts, Culture and Heritage Office, which also exhibited at the venue.
“The City of Bulawayo as represented by the Corporate Communication Office and the Arts Culture and Heritage Office had participated in the commemorations and exhibited during the commemorations at Mhlahlandlela,” the minutes read.
The city also provided seating for the event by hiring and transporting 1,000 chairs at a cost of US$684. The expenditure was drawn from Vote 449, which supports the Bulawayo Arts Festival.
Khumalo described the proposed partnership as a fitting way for the city to support the commemoration of King Mzilikazi’s legacy.
He noted, however, that the partnership related specifically to the cultural commemorations, while Bulawayo Day remained a separate event with its own arrangements.
Council resolved to recommend the signing of the MoU, the annual US$5,000 allocation from the Arts, Culture and Heritage vote, and confirmation of the expenditure incurred during the 2026 commemorations.
The proposed agreement would establish a framework for continued cooperation between the council and the association in promoting and preserving cultural heritage.
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