By Staff Reporter
GRATEFUL Bulawayo residents Wednesday held a mass thanksgiving service, which was attended by members of various religious denominations.
The service, organised by the local authority, gave the residents an opportunity to thank God for the bumper rains that fell last year, which saw some of the city’s supply dams filling up.
The city has for a long time faced serious water shortages due to the fact that all the six dams that supply the city with water are located in Matabeleland South, a drought prone province.
Bulawayo mayor, Councillor Martin Moyo, who led the proceedings noted that it was important for residents to take time to thank God for sustaining the city faced with a host of challenges, mainly the closure of industry which for a long time had the economic backbone of the city.
‘It is important that we constantly pray for our city as we are aware of the need for divine intervention in the development of Bulawayo and the social and economic well-being of our community,” the mayor said.
While focus has mainly been on water challenges, the mayor pointed out that the city also faced challenges in the health and development sectors.
“It is important that we constantly pray for our city as we are aware of the need for divine intervention in the development of Bulawayo and the social and economic wellbeing of our community.
The mayor said the HIV prevalence rate in the city, which currently stands at 20 percent, was worrisome.
Speaking at the same event, Zimbabwe Council of Churches official Kevin Mpofu, urged residents to be self-sustainable and not always rely on donor funding.
“l believe people should not only rely on donors but be equipped in maintaining sustainable development like what we are doing in rural areas where we equip them on gardening and water harvesting projects,” said Mpofu.
“The government should launch more community based projects in rural and urban areas to assist the widows and orphans to generate income for their basic needs as there do not have enough resources.”
