The ManicaPost
Post Reporter
ECSTASY has gripped Buhera ahead of this year’s national Independence Day celebrations to be held at Murambinda B High School in April.
Buhera was chosen as this year’s hosts of the national Independence Day, Children’s Party and Independence Gala to be held on April 17 and 18 respectively.
Murambinda A Primary School will host the Children’s Party on April 17, while Murambinda B High School will host the main Independence Day event where more than 70 000 people are expected to converge.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza who also hails from Buhera, said the venue was chosen because of its centrality.
“Murambinda is central and can be accessed from all directions. We have hit the ground running. We have 18 organising committees in place and are already putting their shoulders on the wheels. We want to ensure that we have the biggest celebrations ever witnessed outside Harare which was the traditional venue. We have mobilised the necessary manpower and equipment to ensure that the venue will be ready well before the event,” he said.
Minister Mugadza called on war veterans who were camped at Dzapasi Assembly Point during the liberation war ceasefire between 1979 and 1980 to converge at the place to receive the Independence flame.
“Buhera contributed a lot during the liberation struggle and it was befitting to have the celebrations here in this district.
“The Independence Day flame will be coming to the venue before April 18. It will pass through The Butcher in Rusape and Dzapasi Assembly Point before being taken to the venue which is Murambinda B High School. We are calling upon all war veterans who were at Dzapasi Assembly Point to converge at the place to receive the Independence flame. This is the special way to honour them. We will forever grateful for the sacrifices they made to liberate this country,” said Minister Mugadza.
Zanu PF Manicaland provincial chairman, Cde Tawanda Mukodza said as a province they are mobilising 73 000 people to grace the Independence Day celebrations.
“As Manicaland, we are looking forward to mobilise 73 000 people to attend the Independence Day celebrations. We expect Buhera as the host district to contribute 40 000 people, Makoni (10 000), Zimunya/Marange (10 000), Mutasa (2 000), Mutare Urban (2 000), Nyanga (1 000), Chipinge (4 000) and Chimanimani (4 000). We now appealing for resources especially transport to ferry people to the venue. We are doing everything mindful of the cholera pandemic that hit the district early this year and will be strictly observing all health protocols. We do not want this important event to turn into a cholera super spreader,” he said.
Buhera North legislator, Cde Phillip Guyo who is the hosting MP, said they feel honoured to be hosting this important national event.
“First, I want to thank the people of Buhera North for showing confidence in President Mnangagwa’s leadership and voted for him overwhelmingly during the August 23, 2023 harmonised elections. As the people of Buhera North, we will not disappoint, we will come out in our thousands to celebrate our independence.
“We also implore those who will be working on the venues to employ locals so that they also benefit from this national programme,” said Cde Guyo.
Buhera Central MP, Cde Sam Matema said: “We are super excited and honoured to play host to the whole country as we celebrate 44 years of independence as Manicaland Province in general and Buhera District in particular. That the independence flame will be lit at Dzapasi (Foxtrot) Assembly Point is significant and telling in more ways than one. Dzapasi Assembly Point was the biggest Assembly Point in the whole country under the command of the late Brigadier General Zimondi (Cde Tonderai Nyika).
“It was designated a national monument in 2017. Recognising it at a time such as the Independence Day commemorations is gratifying in as far as it rekindles the memories of many locals and those from faraway places, but were housed at Dzapasi at a crucial and defining moment in the events that birthed an independent Zimbabwe.”
He added: “His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, always make very big announcements on such big occasions, and we are expectant as a province, and most importantly Buhera District. We are happy to receive the President and the entire country to Murambinda B High School via Dzapasi Assembly Point. Buhera District will never be the same again after this year’s Independence Day celebrations.
Buhera South MP, Cde Ngoni Mudekunye said: “We never imagined that Buhera will host a national event in our lifetime, and we do not know how to thank his Excellency, President Mnangagwa for according us the chance to host this year’s Independence Day celebrations.”
