Zim celebrates 39 years of Uhuru

and have mobilised more than $10 000 for the event,” said Mr Mbetsa.

He said the venue was ready to host the event with members of the uniformed forces having perfected their drills in readiness for today.

In Bikita, the district administrator Mr Bernard Hadzirabwi, who will lead the celebrations said they expect a capacity crowd to converge at Bikita Training Centre at Nyika Growth Point.

Chiredzi Acting District Administrator Ms Memory Dhliwayo said the main celebrations will be held at Tshovani Stadium and called on people from all walks of life to attend.

Celebrations will also be held in Chivi, Zaka, Mwenezi and Gutu and Masvingo districts which received a share of game meat and other donations to feed hundreds of people expected to grace the Independence festivities.

Mashonaland Central was by yesterday putting final touches to preparations at Chipadze Stadium where the celebration will be held.

A sizeable number of Bindura residents gathered at the stadium yesterday to watch the uniformed forced performing their drills. They said they could not wait for the festivities today.

Acting provincial administrator Mr Richard Chipfuva, who visited the stadium, confirmed that everything is in place for the big day.

“This year’s celebration are special in the sense that it is the first anniversary in the new dispensation and for us here in Mash Central we are privileged to have a female Minister of State who is also new to the task,” said Mr Chipfuva.

The Minister of State Senator Monica Mavhunga also participated in the rehearsals. The province has mobilised over $8 000 for the event.

“We are going to slaughter four beasts to feed our guest and participants. We have mobilised local lorries and the national command centre has availed a bus that we will use to ferry people from neighbouring villages Trojan, Batanai and Manhenga.”

Final preparations were also in full swing at Chinhoyi Stadium where the provincial celebrations for Mashonaland West province will be held.

Provincial administrator Mrs Cecilia Chitiyo urged people to come in their thousands to celebrate the country’s Independence from colonial rule.

“We are ready to go as everything is now in place. We have raised and mobilised enough to see the function through. Independence celebrations are on course and there are no challenges that have been encountered so far,” she said.

In Manicaland celebrations are expected to start at 8am today with the Minister of State Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba expected to read the presidential speech at 10am.

Provincial administrator Mr Edgars Seenza said this year’s celebrations would be graced by a delegation from Mozambique led by the Governor for Manica Province.

In Mashonaland East, the main celebrations will be at Rudhaka Stadium.

Mashonaland East provincial administrator Mr Tavabarira Kutamahufa said the province had raised over $30 000 for the celebrations.

In Midlands, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Larry Mavima said the organising committee had set a target of $40 000 towards hosting a successful event at Mkoba Stadium in Gweru.