EVENTS to mark the 40th anniversary of Zimbabwe’s
Independence will be spread over the whole year to show the importance of the
milestone with the main event being held for the first time in Bulawayo next
month.
For the main celebrations, it will be the first time the
event will be held outside Harare since 1980, with officials also expressing
satisfaction over preparations so far. Local Government and Public Works
Minister July Moyo told Sunday News on Friday on the sidelines of a tour of
renovation works at the Bulawayo magistrates courts that Government wanted the
celebrations to be spread throughout the year to indicate the importance of the
milestone.
“Yes, I am happy with the work thus far, the team from
Bulawayo has been working with the national organising team and I can safely
say all is in place for the hosting of these festivities. Of course there are a
lot of things which the Bulawayo people want to have as part of the celebrations
inclusive of an exhibition (art) and a soccer match to mention but a few and
the Information (Publicity and Broadcasting Services) Ministry has a lot of
deliverables which they will put out but all the responsible departments are
co-ordinating quite well. The Government has said the celebrations will be all
year, so we expect that Bulawayo will be taking the lead to celebrate this huge
achievement by the country, so I must assure people of a whole lot of
interesting and exciting activities.”
Minister of State for Bulawayo Metropolitan Provincial
Affairs, Cde Judith Ncube said all was in place for the city’s hosting of the
celebrations. She said it was now upon Zimbabweans from all walks of life to
converge on various festivities lined up for the celebrations.
“This country was not liberated by a single person, it was
liberated by the people of Zimbabwe regardless of political affiliation,
inclusive of the church. During the liberation struggle, one would find church
pastors holding prayer sessions for the liberation of the country because
prayer was the weapon of choice the pastors knew. Therefore, if one feels they
are not part of these celebrations, we need to sit down, talk and reason
together. We need to discover more of ourselves so that we move together as
people of Zimbabwe,” said Minister Ncube.
She called upon the youth in Bulawayo to actively
participate in the celebrations revealing that the celebrations were a complete
package where every age group will be catered for.
“The celebrations have been designed in such a way that we
would want to incorporate everybody, we will be having a children’s gathering,
which will be held at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, we will also have
a Cultural night at the Large City Hall, both on 17 April. We will also be
having the main event on the 18th and later on as part of the main celebrations
we will have a football match where Highlanders Football Club will play against
either a local or foreign big club. Later in the evening we will have a music
gala to accommodate our young people,” said Minister Ncube.
On the state of preparedness, the minister revealed that
she was excited that everything was on course.
“I am so happy with the preparations so far for the hosting
of the main celebrations. What I would like to do at the moment is just to
appeal to the people of Bulawayo and the entire Matabeleland region that we
wish to share a slice of the celebrations with our patients at the hospitals.
These celebrations are for everyone therefore let us share with everyone,
patients, the elderly, orphans and the vulnerable within our society. The
celebrations should go beyond the main celebrations, we must also donate the
little we get to charity,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has confirmed
the availing of Barbourfields Stadium for free for the celebrations.
Responding to a request from Minister Ncube’s office, BCC
Director of Housing and Community Services, Mr Dictor Khumalo confirmed that
the local authority will, as per every national celebrations, avail the use of
the stadium free of charge. Sunday News
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