Youths know little about Burombo Flats

Danisa Masuku
TUCKED at the periphery of Thorngrove and Nguboyenja suburbs are Burombo Flats which carry a historical significance in the country’s fight for independence.

The flats were named after one of the founding luminaries and trade unionists Benjamin Burombo who was born in 1909 in Buhera, Manicaland Province and died in 1959.

Burombo’s death came at the dawn of the birth and rise of African nationalism and his name was canonised through the construction of blocks of flats named after him.

A look at the Bulawayo City Council (BCC)-owned property, while having deteriorated over the years due to lack of maintenance, still tells a unique story of a famous pioneer freedom fighter.

The BCC has turned a blind eye to this historically significant structure.

Covered in red dust and rust, with cracks on the concrete walls and peeling paint due to years of decay, the three dilapidated blocks of flats are in urgent need of rehabilitation.

As one walks through the dark corridors, they are greeted by a foul smell with walls plastered with a thick layer of grime.

Several windowpanes are broken and residents have resorted to using cardboard and plastics to cover windows. In some entryways, a visitor is greeted by a stench emanating from bat droppings.

According to historian Pathisa Nyathi, being one of the earliest and most respected of the African nationalists in Zimbabwe, Burombo came to Bulawayo in the early years of World War II and earned a living by selling biscuits in the railway compound.

“In 1947, Benjamin Burombo formed the British African National Voice Association (BANVA) during his stay in Bulawayo. His trade union movement took part in the defence of rural Africans who were facing evictions following the implementation of the 1930 Land Apportionment Act,” said Nyathi.

“Burombo and his trade union movement worked tirelessly in Insiza District where whites returning from the Second World War (1939-45) were settling on the land and embarking on agricultural production.”

Burombo’s successes in this direction provided the inspiration for the next generation of nationalist leaders to mount a full-scale campaign against the Act in the late 1950s.

This week a B-Metro news crew interviewed several youths to find out how much they know about one of the country’s earliest and most respected luminaries and trade unionists.

Most of the youths, particularly those who were born around 2000 and after, professed ignorance about this historically significant structure and the role played by Burombo in the country’s liberation struggle.

A university student Thabani Maseko (22) said he never did History as a subject at secondary school therefore he had shallow knowledge about the significance of Burombo Flats.

“I never did history as a subject during my entire secondary education as such I have surface knowledge about our liberation stalwarts.

“I got to know about Burombo Flats after I read literature online and I really want to know more about him,” he said.

Noting that most of his peers do not know about the liberation war heroes he proposed that filmmakers should make documentaries.

“For us as youths to learn about our history the filmmakers should produce documentaries to educate and inform us about our history,” he said.

Tapiwa Moyo (21) who had visited his uncle at the flats said: “I have never cared to know about the history of this flat because I can relate to it and I just know that it’s the name of the flat.”

Moyo said to educate and inform his age mates about liberation war heroes like Benjamin Burombo the Ministry of Primary and Secondary education should include historical places such as Burombo Flats, Stanley Hall and Square in Makokoba suburb.

Another youth Nothabo Sengwayo (19) who stays with her granny at a nearby suburb- Nguboyenja said: “My grandmother told me that women who used to work in industries stayed there and they did not pay any rent. That is what I know only.”