YEAR-LONG festivities have been planned to celebrate the 90th annivesary of the country’s oldest football institution, Highlanders Football Club.
Themed IBosso@90, the celebrations will be spearheaded by Amakhosi Cultural Centre. 
Affectionately known as Bosso, Highlanders was formed in 1926 by King Lobengula’s grandchildren and is not only Zimbabwe’s oldest football team but could easily be the most popular.
Highlanders enjoys a lot of support throughout the country and beyond, hence the name, “Ithimu Yezwe Lonke”. 
Amakhosi have written to the local authority, requesting permission to use some of the council’s infrastructure in preparation for the celebrations which will kick off in February. 
The local authority has, in return, granted Amakhosi Cultural Centre permission to use its facilities for an agreed charge. 
“The official launch event is set for 28th February 2016 at Barbourfields Stadium-a week before the football season kicks off. We have planned for a yearlong series of events ending on the 11th of December 2016 with yet another big event. 
“It is with this background that Amakhosi department of Cultural Tourism is already working closely with the council to tell the historical story of Bulawayo and its citizens to the world. Amakhosi took up the challenge and is producing an all year round IBosso@90 2016 Celebration Series where all citizens will be free to celebrate this occasion.
“Highlanders as an institution is Bulawayo’s story that needs to be told to the world,” reads part of the letter. 
The main celebrations will be held at the council owned Barbourfields Stadium, which is home to Highlanders.
Highlanders, nine times champions in the domestic league, has produced some of the country’s best players in the famous Ndlovu brothers – Peter, Madinda and the late Adam, Liverpool legend Bruce Grobelaar, Rahman Gumbo and the late Mercedes Sibanda, among others. 
Bosso are the NetOne EasyCall Cup holders. Advertisement