By
Ndumiso
Tshuma
This
advice
comes
amid
accusations
that
some
current
councillors
have
exhibited
poor
leadership,
displayed
power-hungry
tendencies,
and
failed
to
measure
up
to
former
Bulawayo
leaders
like
Japhet
Ndabeni
Ncube,
the
late
Abel
Siwela,
or
other
respected
mayors.
Speaking
at
a
memorial
meeting
held
on
Wednesday
in
honour
of
the
late
Alderman
Colin
Stuart
Lumsden
who
died
early
this
month
in
the
United
Kingdom,
Coltart
suggested
that
current
councillors
should
organise
an
annual
meeting
to
benefit
from
the
insights
of
former
leaders,
particularly
aldermen.
“We
need
to
draw
on
the
wisdom
and
experience
of
our
former
councillors
and
aldermen,
particularly
our
aldermen.
We
should
organise
a
meeting
at
least
once
a
year
to
gain
the
benefit
of
their
insight,
to
frankly
discuss
what
is
not
being
done
right
and
what
needs
to
be
improved,”
Coltart
said.
“Any
nation,
any
city
that
fails
to
draw
on
the
wisdom
of
those
who
have
been
there
before
is
destined
for
failure.”
The
mayor
further
explained
that
the
purpose
of
conducting
an
annual
meeting
within
the
council’s
calendar
is
to
facilitate
a
dialogue
between
current
councillors
and
former
leaders,
especially
those
who
have
earned
their
stripes.
“The
current
body
of
councillors
can
meet
with
past
aldermen
and
other
interested
councillors,
particularly
those
who
have
earned
their
stripes,
to
hear
from
them
and
benefit
from
their
experience.
This
would
also
honour
the
late
Alderman
Lumsden
and
other
aldermen
who
have
passed
on,”
Coltart
added.
Alderman
Lumsden
was
born
on
23
December
1947
in
Glasgow,
Scotland
and
died
on
August
12,
2024
and
was
buried
in
that
country.
Reflecting
on
Lumsden’s
career,
which
began
on
August
3,
1978,
as
the
councillor
for
Ward
3
in
Bulawayo,
Coltart
highlighted
his
resilience,
noting
his
re-elections
in
1989
and
1991,
and
his
dedicated
service
until
July
2003,
even
through
challenges
and
defeats.
“He
served
the
city
for
a
remarkable
23
years,
showing
persistence
by
being
re-elected
even
after
facing
defeat,”
said
Coltart.
Coltart
also
recalled
Lumsden’s
elevation
to
the
high
honour
of
Alderman
on
July
20,
1991,
stating
that
he
was
truly
worthy
of
a
memorial
special
council
meeting.
He
praised
Lumsden
for
dedicating
his
energy
to
the
betterment
of
Bulawayo,
calling
him
a
man
of
integrity
whose
contributions
will
not
be
forgotten.
“Alderman
Lumsden
was
someone
worthy
of
today’s
memorial
special
council
meeting.
He
dedicated
many
decades
to
the
city
of
Bulawayo
as
a
man
of
integrity,
striving
for
its
betterment,”
said
Coltart.