Online Reporter
George Maponga
Masvingo Bureau
Preparations for this year’s Masvingo provincial independence celebrations have reached an advanced stage, with more than 20 000 people expected to fill Gibbo Stadium in Triangle, Chiredzi, for the festivities.
Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Ezra Chadzamira will lead the celebrations that will be held in the spirit of devolution and decentralisation, in sync with President Mnangagwa’s mantra of “leaving no one and no place” mantra.
High-profile guests, including the Premier of South Africa’s Limpopo Province and the Governor of Gaza Province in Mozambique, are expected to attend the main provincial celebrations at Gibbo.
The celebrations will also be held in all of Masvingo’s seven administrative districts, with district development coordinators leading proceedings.
Permanent Secretary for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa said all is set for the independence festivities at Gibbo.
“Our provincial independence celebrations will this year be taken to Gibbo Stadium, where we are expecting about 20 000 people to fill the stadium and join the rest of the nation in celebrating Independence Day.
“The Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira, will lead the main celebrations at Gibbo, but festivities will also be held in all seven districts across the province, that is Gutu, Zaka, Masvingo, Bikita, Mwenezi and Chivi,” said Dr Pazvakavambwa.
“This year’s celebrations promise to be bigger and better because, amongst the several high-profile guests that we are expecting, we have also invited the Governor of Mozambique’s Gaza Province and the Premier of South Africa’s Limpopo Province to join us.”
Dr Pazvakavambwa revealed that preparations for the day are now in place, with various forms of entertainment lined up.
“Entertainment will be galore and there will be plenty of food for people who will come to Gibbo. There will also be displays by members of the security forces who have already descended in Chiredzi for drills.”
There is excitement in Chiredzi ahead of the celebrations, with the Second Republic earning plaudits for decentralising celebrations to mark the important day.
Zimbabwe Sugarcane Development Association (ZSDA) chairperson Mrs Bernadette Chipembere paid tribute to President Mnangagwa’s administration for decentralising such national events to give citizens in all parts of the country an opportunity to celebrate.
“We want to thank the President, Cde ED Mnangagwa and his administration for coming up with this programme of decentralising celebrations of key national events because it allows all citizens, including those in remote and far-flung areas, to be physically part of the celebrations. This is key in keeping the memory of such important events in the minds and hearts of every Zimbabwean,” she said.
“We are excited in Chiredzi because by hosting these celebrations this year, our district also gets an opportunity to market itself as an investment destination. There will also be business opportunities for local people as we host around 20 000 people in one day. We are really looking forward to the day and we want to applaud the Second Republic for this.”
Last year, the main provincial celebrations were held at Nemanwa Growth Point in Masvingo District.
