Quite a novel kind of Independence Day celebration

FOR the first time yesterday, Zimbabweans were forced to celebrate the country’s Independence Day without the usual festivities as movements have been curtailed while public places have been closed down to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

It was quite an unprecedented and novel experience.

Where people could have traversed the length and breadth of the country to either visit resorts or friends and relatives in the rural areas, they could only manage to walk or drive to the shops before the 3pm closing time.

In Zengeza, buses that usually ferry people from the suburb to the National Sports Stadium for national celebrations were nowhere to be found.

But people could be seen milling around supermarkets in Zengeza 2 in search of foodstuffs and drinks.

People across the Midlands province embraced Government’s call to celebrate the country’s 40th birthday indoors.

Former secretary-general for war veterans Cde Shadreck Makombe said although the country celebrated its 40th birthday under difficult circumstances due to Covid-19, it did not dampen the spirit.

“We listened to the President’s speech and it was so uniting. The speech showed that Zimbabwe has come of age. Despite the situation we are in, we still cherish our independence,” he said.

Gogo Mavis Maphosa (67) said she celebrated the big day with her grandchildren at her farm.

“We are faced with a global pandemic but this did not stop me from celebrating our day as Zimbabweans. We had fun as I took my grandchildren down memory lane on how the country’s independence was won back from the hands of the white minority,” she said

With entertainment centres, restaurants and bars closed due to lockdown restrictions, most Dzivaresekwa residents celebrated independence at home.

There was little activity at most shopping centres, with the few that ventured out simply buying basic commodities such as mealie-meal.

In most parts of Seke and Zengeza, though there were no celebrations to mark the day, most people were keen to listen to the independence speech by President Mnangagwa.

Some watched on television while others listened on radio.

However, for some it was business as usual as they spent the better part of the day queueing for basic commodities at local retail outlets.

At Gains Cash & Carry Makoni, opposite Makoni Police Station, there was a long queue as people waited to buy the subsidised roller meal.

The situation was the same at OK and Pick n Pay Makoni.

In Glen Norah, there was a marked increase in human traffic around shopping centres. A number of people were sitting and chatting in small groups drinking different kinds of beverages.

However, vending stalls and tuckshops remained closed.