Provinces join Uhuru celebrations

ALL is set for this year’s Independence Day celebrations on Wednesday, the first under a new leader President Emmerson Mnangagwa

The Sunday Mail has gathered that the country’s provinces are in their final preparatory stages to mark the day with expectations of huge turnouts.

The main event will be held at the National Sports Stadium that has a sitting capacity of 60 000, but can accommodate up to 80 000 people when in overflow.

President Mnangagwa is expected to deliver the keynote address in Harare with his speech also read at provincial level by Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs.

The hype for the independence festivities has spread in all the provinces, with some provincial administrators confirming all is now in place for the special day while others are making last-minute preparations.

Various provincial stadiums and district centres across the country will be full of glamour as the country celebrates Uhuru.

As is the custom, members of the security forces will showcase their pride and discipline through drills after the Presidential Speech.

Mashonaland Central provincial administrator Mr Cosmas Chiringa said several preparatory meetings with district organising committees had been held over the event.

He said people in the province would converge at Chipadze Stadium in Bindura.

Governor of Tete province in Mozambique Hon Paulo Aude will grace the event.

“Before the main independence celebration, we will have an independence lecture on what happened, when and why we got independent. The lecture will be conducted by our academia from various institutes the day before Uhuru celebrations,” said Mr Chiringa.

Mashonaland West provincial administrator Ms Cecilia Chitiyo said well-wishers had been donating in cash and kind to make the celebrations at Chinhoyi Stadium a success.

“Several arts groups will be performing at the event and in the afternoon, people will watch a football match. We are expecting a huge turnout from all our districts,” she said.

In Manicaland Province, the Uhuru celebrations begin with a musical gala at the Mutare Agricultural Showgrounds on Tuesday night.

Manicaland provincial administrator Mr Edgar Seenza said after the gala, all roads will lead to Sakubva Stadium where there will be more entertainment.

“We urge people from all political parties to attend this year’s independence celebrations in the spirit of togetherness. Let us enjoy our new Zimbabwe on this day,” he said.

People in Matabeleland North province are expected to be treated to a feast with provincial administrator Ms Latiso Dhlamini emphasising that the event is not to be missed.

She said buses have been organised to ferry people from various districts to Somhlolo Stadium in Lupane where there will be entertainment and a football match.

Another feast has been planned for people in Mashonaland East province where more than 85 cattle will be slaughtered.

Resident musicianFahim Somanje will be among the artistes who will provide entertainment.

Said Mashonaland East provincial administrator Mr Tavabarira Kutamahufa: “There will be mixed entertainment, traditional dance, soccer and food.

“Preparations and meetings for the event are still underway, but I can confirm that all is moving well for the Independence Day celebrations to be held at Rudhaka Stadium.”

President Mnangagwa’s home province, Midlands, has made significant progress to make Independence Day celebrations at Mkoba Stadium special.

Each district is expected to provide a bus to the main venue in Gweru.

Mr Abiot Maronge, the provincial administrator, said there has been commendable response from businesses wishing to fund some activities at the event.

“We are expecting a crowd of more than 10 000 and the event will be graced by local artistes, football players and we have also introduced boxing to entertain people,” he said.

Bulawayo Metropolitan Province will host the celebrations at White City Stadium while people in Masvingo converge at Mucheke Stadium.