Chronicle Reporters—
BUMPER crowds turned up at venues in Matabeleland region, Masvingo and Midlands provinces yesterday to mark the nation’s 36th independence anniversary. In Bulawayo, thousands of people from in and around the province gathered at the White City Stadium for celebrations that ran under the theme: “Celebrating peace and sustainable economic growth”.
The Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs, Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo, inspected the guard of honour before reading the President’s speech to an overflowing stadium. Service chiefs, Zanu-PF Politburo Members, Central Committee Members, parliamentarians and senior officials from different organisations and residents attended the celebration.
Members of the Zimbabwe National Army, Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services provided entertainment with different activities related to their national duties.
Yesterday’s celebrations were a clear indication that Independence Day is still important to the people of Bulawayo, despite the economic hardships. People were kept on their feet as they did not want to miss out on the thrilling performances by the uniformed forces, while crowds continued to flock into the stadium, creating congestion at the entrance.
Police officers had a torrid time controlling the crowd, which included hundreds of children. In Gwanda, in Matabeleland South province, Phelandaba Stadium was packed to capacity as people from all walks of life thronged the venue.
By 8AM the stadium had been packed and it was a hive of activity as arts groups entertained the huge crowd waiting for the arrival of the dignitaries who included the service chiefs, Zanu-PF provincial bigwigs and the Guest of Honour, the Minister of Rural Development, Promotion and Preservation of National Culture and Heritage, Cde Abednico Ncube.
He arrived shortly after 11AM when the national anthem was played and immediately inspected the uniformed forces parade. He then read the President’s speech.
Army drills stole the day as crowds were treated to displays which left them clamouring for more. Arts groups from Gwanda did not disappoint as they also gave scintillating performances.
Sabiwa Primary School pupils gave a traditional flavour to the celebrations with their dances which were later spiced up by the drum majorettes from schools in the mining town.
In Matabeleland North’s Somhlolo Stadium in Lupane, the event started shortly after 12 noon following the arrival of service chiefs and Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Matabeleland North Cde Cain Mathema.
He then inspected the guard of honour mounted by members of the ZNA, ZPCS and the police and read the President’s speech. The military brass band kept the crowd entertained.
Among those in attendance were the Deputy Minister of Media, Information, Broadcasting Services Cde Thokozile Mathuthu, Lupane East MP Sithembile Gumbo and her counterpart from Tsholotsho South Zenzo Sibanda, Chief Mabhikwa and Zanu-PF Matabeleland North provincial chairperson Cde Richard Moyo.
At Mkoba Stadium in Gweru, by 10AM the venue had already been packed. Official proceedings began an hour later with the arrival of service chiefs – Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) Thornhill Airbase commander, Group Captain Elisha Masakadza, Commandant Zimbabwe Military Academy Colonel Philip Khupe and Officer Commanding Police Midlands Province Senior Assistant Commissioner, Abigail Moyo. Officer Commanding Midlands/Masvingo Region Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS), Celesina Mupfarinya and ZNA 5 Brigade commander, Brigadier-General Morgan Urayai Munawa also attended.
Midlands Minister of State Cde Jason Machaya inspected an independence parade. A flypast comprising three AFZ planes in diamond formation flew over the stadium during the drills sending the crowd into delirium. Cde Machaya later read the President’s speech before guests and the crowd were entertained.
A Zimdancehall Independence clash featuring local artistes and a provincial independence football match pitting Premiership outfit Chapungu against Zifa Central Soccer League side Whawha were held as part of the 36th anniversary Uhuru fiesta.
In Masvingo a bumper crowd marked the 36th Independence Day celebrations held at Mucheke Stadium. The Minister of State for Psychomotor Activities in Education, Josiah Hungwe, inspected a quarter guard comprising ZNA, ZRP and ZPCS on behalf of Minister of State for provincial affairs for Masvingo Shuvai Mahofa before she read the Presidential speech.
The celebrations started with a procession from Mucheke bus terminus led by the drum majorettes drawn from schools in Masvingo and supported by the Zimbabwe National Army brass band. Displays by the uniformed forces through drills, slow and quick march kept the crowd on its toes and displays from Mutimurefu Prison inmates added icing to the cake.
In an interview on the sidelines of the celebrations, Cde Hungwe said Independence Day celebrations were very important to the people of Masvingo because through the liberation of the country, the province now boasts of a number of initiatives, most of which will assist the whole country.
He cited Tokwe-Mukorsi Dam project which is nearing completion and said it is among many fruits of independence.