Over to you Midlands!
THE 44th Independence Day commemorations have come and gone, but the annual national event left an indelible mark, epitomised by a tangible legacy of infrastructural development in the largely remote Buhera District.
This year’s theme was — “Unity, Peace and Development Towards Vision 2030”.
There was pomp and funfair during the 44th Independence Day commemorations that kicked off with the exhilarating President’s Children’s Party last Wednesday, culminating into the main event the following day at Murambinda B High School.
The host province of Manicaland was hailed for organising a hugely successful and exciting event, and next year’s hosts — Midlands Province — need to up their game to beat the set standard.
The commemorations were held in the province in line with the Second Republic’s devolution thrust and the mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.
However, it is the story of infrastructural development that came with this event that will remain in the minds of many locals for many years to come.
Buhera District Development Coordinator, Mr Freeman Mavhiza said the decentralisation of the Independence Day commemorations left Murambinda and the entire district basking in the glory of infrastructural development.
“We have witnessed the repairing of the Murambinda-Birchenough Bridge Road which been a thorn in the flesh of motorists. The road is now trafficable.
Murambinda B High School now has a new laboratory, computer lab and a new classroom block.
“We also have Murambinda A Primary School that benefitted as three new blocks were constructed. The old buildings that were there were refurbished.
“The venue of the Independence Day celebrations itself — Murambinda B High School — also had its football pitch (Uhera Stadium) built. These and tangible developments we are talking about, something that could have taken ages to be realised if it was not because of these decentralised celebrations. We are truly grateful as a community,” he said.
As part of the Independence Day programme, President Mnangagwa toured and launched a model School Business Unit at Murambinda B High School under the President Rural Development Programme, which is being replicated across the country.
The model Murambinda B High School Business Unit comprises of one solar
powered borehole, 2x10 000 litres storage tanks, one-hectare drip technology garden and two fish ponds.
The Murambinda B High School Business Unit project was implemented by Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) which contracted Prevail Group International, and to date 20 business units have been set up in Buhera District alone.
In fact, Government is targeting to establish 10 000 business units by November this year as the game-changer projects are set to economically empower the once less-privileged in society, with women and youths among the beneficiaries.
In this regard, the people of Murambinda have not been left behind!
The state of some major and feeder roads in Murambida, in particular and Buhera in general, were deplorable.
The Nyazura-Murambinda Road, for example, had been rendered un-trafficable due to potholes, but it is now in a much improved state.
In environmental preservation and climate change proofing initiatives, a global assignment on its own, President Mnangagwa led top Government officials and schoolchildren in planting 44 trees, a number that signifies the country’s years of self-rule, at Murambinda A Primary School.
The 44 trees were planted under the Legacy Plantations Programme that will see 44 000 indigenous and fruit trees being planted across Buhera District.
Again, with regards to environmental preservation, the people Murambinda were not left behind!
This year’s Independence Day commemorations had its own sidebars with Vice President Kembo Mohadi leading
proceedings during the lighting of the Independence Day Flame at former Dzapasi Assembly Point in Buhera Central — where the late then ZANLA commander, Cde Solomon Mujuru and Rhodesian Army Commander Bertie Barnard ceremoniously shook hands as the British flag was lowered and the Zimbabwean flag was hoisted in 1980.
In his remarks, Vice President Mohadi said the site is of great significance to the history of Zimbabwe as it was the first and largest assembly point after cease-fire where the Union Jack was lowered and the Zimbabwean flag was hoisted.
He further implored the nation to remain united and safeguard the gains of the liberation struggle.
Vice President Mohadi reiterated Government’s commitment towards preserving historical sites as well as improving the welfare of war veterans.
Indeed, this was one of the ceremonies heralding the birth of an independent Zimbabwe, while signalling the death of the cruel Rhodesia’s military machine.
In sport, the people of Murambinda were once again not left behind as they had a once-in-a-lifetime treat when the country’s top-flight league football teams clashed on the Independence Day eve as well as on the day itself.
Premiership sides, Manica Diamonds and Simba Bhora played as part of the President’s Children’s Party celebrations.
The teams were deadlocked on a nil-all score line at regulation time before Simba Bhora won the duel 5-4 on penalties.
Dynamos beat Highlanders on the day to lift the Uhuru Cup!
This was the long and short of the country’s 44th Independence Day commemorations!