Six Bulawayo councillors who have served the city for the past ten years were elevated to Aldermen by outgoing Mayor Councillor Solomon Mguni on Thursday.
The ceremony was held at the Large City Hall during the Mayor’s Valedictory Address.
The six councillors who were elevated are: Outgoing Deputy Mayor and Ward 1 Councillor Mlandu Ncube, Ward 4 Councillor Silas Chigora, Ward 11 Councillor Pilate Moyo, Ward 14 Councillor Ronald Chunga, Ward 22 Councillor Rodney Jele and Ward 25 Councillor Mzama Dube
The six councillors have served the council since 2013 and have held various positions in various committees.
Speaking during the ceremony, Alderman Chigora urged the incoming councillors to conduct themselves respectfully, citing that holding a public office comes with a lot of self-sacrifice.
“It has been a long ten years. It is not easy being in a public office, you have to forgo a lot of things. Your conduct as a person has to be at its best. For Bulawayo to prosper, let us remember that we should argue differently but the point should be that of building Bulawayo. We all have different ideas and that is what builds Bulawayo. Let us argue with points not with names and surnames but with views that will build the city,” Ald Chigora said.
Alderman Ncube noted that his term in office has been enjoyable despite the challenges that they faced.
“It has been a very good experience serving the city. I enjoyed my term mostly because there was support from the residents. Despite the challenges, the people of Bulawayo showed us direction. They supported me throughout my terms in office. We promise to support the incoming council in every way we possibly can,” he said.
Alderman Dube said the journey has been quite challenging and at some point, they doubted they would make it to the elevation stage.
“We faced a lot of challenges and at some point, we doubted that we would get here. I plan on getting back into the office after the elections and continue working well with the residents the way that I have been,” Ald Dube said.
Ald Jele, Ald Moyo and Ald Chunga hailed residents in their respective wards for the support that they rendered them throughout their terms in office. They encouraged them to continue working well with the next set of councillors.
