The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi
Post Reporter
PREPARATIONS for this year’s national Independence Day celebrations set for Buhera next month are progressing well, with work at the venue in full throttle to ensure that all is in place for the event.
The celebrations will be held at Murambinda B High School where a 70 000-strong gathering, among them delegates drawn from different parts of the country are expected to converge for the main event and Independence Gala on April 18. The event will be preceded by a Children’s Party at Mavhudzi High in Nyazura on April 17.
The independence celebrations will run under the theme: “Zim@44: Unity, Peace and Development Towards Vision 2030”.
In an interview following a progress review meeting on preparations held at the venue on Wednesday, Secretary for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Abiot Maronge said everything is on course.
“Overall, we are happy with the progress on the ground. Preparations on the site have been going on for the past two weeks. We are almost ready to start laying the turf on the pitch being constructed because that is a key development. In the next two days, the development of access roads for easy accessibility to the venue will start. Maintenance teams are already working on some of the access roads.
“The cooperation from our stakeholders, especially local authorities, and other public institutions, Government departments and agencies who are providing the technical expertise as well as corporate entities and individuals is massive.
“Also, the support we are receiving from everyone involved in organising for the event has been tremendous and spurred progress. We are being thorough with the work and are expecting the venue to be ready by April 10 before we allow the users to carry out their rehearsals there. If the work progresses as planned, I am sure we will meet all the targets by the scheduled time,” he said.
Mr Maronge said some of the critical utilities like water and electricity are already available at the venue.
He said although cholera cases are declining in the province, all necessary preventive measures and safety protocols will be put in place.
He emphasised that high hygienic standards must be maintained at all times before and during the event to prevent a spike in new cholera cases.
Mr Maronge said Independence Day celebrations are an important occasion on the national calendar, and as such excitement is already building up in the host district.
He said the event presents Zimbabweans with an opportunity to reflect on and consolidate the gains made since independence as the country moves towards attaining an empowered and prosperous upper-middle income economy by 2030.
Speaking after a tour of the site, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Mr Nicholas Moyo said the 2024 Independence Day commemorations will leave an indelible mark on Buhera and Manicaland at large.
“This is a landmark event that will leave a legacy for the host district and province. It will certainly create a legacy. We are constructing a pitch with changing rooms here that will meet FIFA standards. It will be a multi-purpose facility that can be used to host different sport codes.
“This will be one of the many major ground breaking initiatives being undertaken in rural areas by the Second Republic under President Mnangagwa’s leadership. More importantly, the move will directly contribute towards the grassroots development of football and other sporting disciplines in Buhera, Manicland and the country as a whole. The local schools will receive football equipment necessary for the development of the game,” he said.
Mr Moyo said sports activities at the facility will help keep learners and young people in the surrounding areas occupied and reduce their propensity to drugs and substance abuse.
He said a stellar cast of several artistes, among them sungura ace, Alick Macheso and dendera protégé, Suluman Chimebtu has been lined up to perform during the Independence Day Gala.
A challenge football match pitting the country’s two biggest football clubs —Dynamos and Highlanders — will also be part of the entertainment activities.
National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) marketing and public relations officer, Mr Lloyd Makonya said the Independence Flame is expected to be received in all the province’s seven districts.
“The Zimbabwe Independence Flame — an enduring symbol of the country’s struggle for freedom and its commitment to building a better future for all citizens — will have a route that covers the entire Manicaland where it shall be received in all the seven districts,” he said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting, Zanu PF Buhera District Coordinating Committee (DCC) chairperson, Cde Causemore Chimombe said hosting the national Independence Day celebrations will bring a boon in infrastructure development.
“This is the first time where the whole country will converge for the Uhuru commemorations in Buhera. We are excited and feel honoured to host the event as we are home to the famous Dzapasi Assembly Point. As such, we are expecting significant infrastructure development in the district. Already we are witnessing some of it in the form of the pitch under construction and work on the access roads to the venue.
“Nutrition gardens and orchards will be established at local schools, while boreholes are being sunk to benefit local communities. Employment for youths has been created as they are part of the teams working on developing the site in readiness for the event.
“These are signature landmarks typical of President Mnangagwa’s high-impact projects and life-changing programmes being implemented throughout the country,” he said.
A villager, Ms Beauty Muzhingi (59), of Ward 15 in Buhera West said bringing the Uhuru commemorations to Buhera rekindles the memories of Dzapasi Assembly Point where freedom fighters were camped during the liberation war ceasefire period of 1979.
“With the Independence Day celebrations being hosted here, Buhera returns to national prominence as the district contributed a lot during the liberation struggle before providing a home to the combatants at Dzapasi Assembly Point during ceasefire. I have always been attending these commemorations elsewhere and hosting them for the first time since independence on our home soil is a moment to savour,” she said.
Ms Muzhingi hailed President Mnangagwa for walking the talk on leaving no one and no place behind through the implementation of programmes that enhance community livelihoods and sustainability.
Ms Marian Matiza (50), of Buhera Central highlighted the event’s importance in instilling a sense of patriotism in young people.
Mr Listen Maisiri (36), of Buhera West said he is looking forward to the event, particularly the entertainment jamboree and football match.
“I can hardly wait for the main celebrations and the game between Dynamos and Highlanders. Watching Macheso and his band performing live for free here in Buhera will be something to cherish,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the commemorations will turn around Buhera’s fortunes as he expects income generating projects for youths to be rolled out in the aftermath of the event.
Mr Takudzwa Chemhere (23), of Buhera North shared similar sentiments, saying it will be a dream come true for him to watch Macheso as well as DeMbare and Bosso in action.
