The Bulawayo City Council (BCC), Tuesday, hosted senior residents aged 100 and above to honour them for their contribution to the growth of the city and celebrate their individual milestones.
October 1 is the International Day of the Elderly worldwide and the local authority celebrated the day by honouring its centenarians.
19 centenarians attended the celebrations and with the oldest centenarian was 109 years old.
The centenarians were showered with gifts and shared a meal with relatives and council officials.
Speaking at the event held at the Large City Hall, Councillor Lillian Mlilo, who as standing in for the city Mayor expressed the city`s appreciation to the senior citizens.
“We are fortunate as the City of Bulawayo to have among us centenarians who have achieved the golden age of one hundred years and above,” said Cllr Mlilo.
She added that as the city celebrates 125 years of existence they have not forgotten the centenarians who made the city what it is.
“Today we celebrate the pillars of the community who have indigenous knowledge about the development of our city and our nation,” said Cllr Mlilo.
She added that the elderly are a fountain of knowledge, wisdom and honour and the city is fortunate to have them part of the city.
One of the elderly citizens Timothy Ndlovu noted that a lot has changed in the city from what it was back in the days.
“The City of Bulawayo was smaller than it is now and most suburbs were non-existent like Khumalo suburb,” said Ndlovu.
He added that he has lived until this day because he was very respectful and listened to his elders.
“The problem with this generation is that it is very disrespectful and once we try and advise them they tell us that our advice is outdated and old,” said Ndlovu.
This initiative has been going on since 2017 when council partnered with Bulawayo Shoe Box to celebrate the elderly members of the community.
In 2017, the local authority hosted 15 centenarians and 19 centenarians the following year with ages ranging from 100 to 114 in both years.
