Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka-Zimpapers Politics Hub
THE Second Republic, under the stewardship of President Mnangagwa, has implemented a transformative devolution programme that is redefining Zimbabwe’s landscape.
Guided by the powerful philosophy of “leaving no one and no place behind,” this policy is a robust engine for inclusive development, ushering in an exciting era of equitable growth and profound national unity. The devolution exercise is a cornerstone of the Government’s agenda, fundamentally committed to empowering local communities across the nation.
Inspired by this core principle of devolution, the Government has bravely broken with tradition by taking major national events outside the capital, Harare.
Historically, events like Independence Day and Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day were confined to the National Sports Stadium and Heroes Day to the National Heroes Acre. Now, these celebrations are becoming truly national.
Following President Mnangagwa’s declaration to devolve the Independence Day celebrations, Bulawayo Province made history in 2022, becoming the first beneficiary to host the 42nd Independence Day celebrations. This landmark shift, bringing the nation’s premier festivity outside of Harare, became an immediate hallmark of the Second Republic’s commitment to community development across all provinces. The following year, in 2023, the honour passed to Mashonaland Central’s Mount Darwin district, further cementing the government’s resolve toward decentralisation.
The commitment continued in 2024 as the celebrations journeyed to Murambinda B High School in Buhera, Manicaland Province. The devolution momentum kept building, and this year, the Midlands province proudly hosted the festivities at Nembudziya Growth Point in Gokwe North. This intentional geographic rotation powerfully promotes inclusivity and fosters a deeper appreciation for the diverse cultures and valuable contributions of every region within Zimbabwe.
Beyond symbolic representation, these rotating celebrations are a powerful driver of development.
The hosting provinces stand to benefit immensely from significant infrastructure upgrades and a surge in economic opportunities. As a practical measure of this commitment, provinces frequently see their roads rehabilitated and the schools hosting the events meticulously renovated.
The devolution of these major national events is poised to be a catalyst for significant infrastructure development in the hosting provinces.
Furthermore, the chosen venue, often a local school or growth point, receives comprehensive upgrades, renovations, and new utility installations, such as improved water reticulation and electricity supply.
These tangible improvements leave a lasting legacy, directly benefiting residents and enhancing the quality of public services in previously underserved areas.
The excitement for this nationwide upliftment continues, as next year’s celebrations are set to be held at the Maphisa Open Space in Matobo district, Matabeleland South province.
This is more than just a change of venue; it’s an investment in the future of every corner of Zimbabwe.
The hosting of the 46th National Independence Day and Children’s Party Celebrations in Matabeleland South province is poised to be a powerful catalyst for significant infrastructure development, a benefit that has already begun to manifest. Preparations are well underway, demonstrating that the associated upliftment is not a future promise but a current reality.
The province is already experiencing the full throttle of development, with Government ministries and agencies mobilising resources to ensure that key projects such as the rehabilitation of roads, renovation of schools, and upgrades to essential utilities are completed on schedule, confirming the concrete benefits of the devolution policy.
This proactive approach was initiated through strategic planning.
In a recent interview Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe, revealed that the groundwork for the celebrations officially began when a team of Government departments from Matabeleland South recently visited Midlands Province on a crucial “Look-and-Learn” tour.
“Recently, we have been in the Midlands Province as a team from Matabeleland South Province. It was a team from Government departments from my province on a ‘Look-and-Learn’ visit to Midlands Province,” said Minister Nguluvhe.
“We went there to learn, to understand the challenges and how they resolve those challenges, how they are organised, and what the requirements are to make that thing a success.
“And we learned a lot, and we’ll continue working with them because there was a lot we learned from them. Because what it means is that we have to put our logistics in place together.”
Minister Nguluvhe said the province will not wait for resources from the Government alone and has adopted an “ilima” approach to resource mobilisation, a traditional practice where people come together as a community to assist one another with a large task.
“We have started, but you know, more resources are yet to come. But we have met, and we have agreed that we are going to call all RDCs (Rural District Councils) so that we will bring them in and see what we can do as a province.
“So we will do more like an ‘ilima,’ where we have to mobilise our resources.
“We can’t wait for resources from the Government only. We have started to mobilise resources on our own,” he said.
The celebrations will also accelerate the rehabilitation of key roads in the province, including the Gwanda-Maphisa and Bulawayo-Maphisa roads.
“The rehabilitation of the road between Gwanda and Kezi has started. The road from Bulawayo to Matopo, we have also started, and Tshelanyemba has also started,” the Minister said.
He adds: “So it shows we are doing something as a province. But I think in a month’s time, we will be now in full gear after we have mobilised road maintenance equipment, and we are now working on mobilising fuel.”
The Gwanda-Maphisa and Bulawayo-Maphisa road upgrades are set to significantly improve connectivity and economic activity in the region.
The Bulawayo-Maphisa road will also be extended to Mphoengs on the border with Botswana, fostering regional connectivity and promoting economic growth. In a bid to beat the rainy season, Minister Nguluvhe said the province is aiming to have the road works completed by March next year.
“We are trying to beat the rainy season so that by March next year we are done,” he said.
The minister further said the province is also engaging service providers to ensure a seamless event.
“We have also started to write letters to service providers, like those in the telecommunication industry, so that we can improve the network.
“We have started to write letters to them. You know, all those things. We are already on the ground,” he said.
From Minister Nguluvhe’s statements, it is clear that Matabeleland South is already in the full swing of the benefits associated with hosting the national event, with initial infrastructure projects now demonstrably underway. As Minister Nguluvhe confirmed, work on crucial arteries like the Gwanda-Kezi road and the Bulawayo-Matopo road has already commenced.
This immediate action validates the devolution policy’s premise: national events are a practical mechanism for accelerated regional development.
By initiating these major road rehabilitations and the extension to Mphoengs, a move that promises to boost cross-border trade and regional connectivity, the province is not waiting for the future; it is actively transforming its connectivity landscape right now, with an ambitious target to complete the work by March next year, before the next rainy season.
Furthermore, the preparatory process itself is fostering community and institutional empowerment, which is a core, often unquantified, benefit of devolution.
By adopting the “ilima” approach to resource mobilisation, the province is activating its own internal capacity, reinforcing the spirit of self-reliance among its Rural District Councils (RDCs) and local stakeholders.
Coupled with the crucial “Look-and-Learn” tour to the previous hosts in Midlands Province, Matabeleland South is building vital institutional knowledge and efficiency. This proactive engagement with service providers, especially in the telecommunication industry, ensures that the province benefits from improved network coverage, a lasting utility upgrade that goes far beyond the day of the celebrations, enhancing economic activity and communication for all residents.
Ultimately, the devolution of national celebrations to Matabeleland South and specifically to the Maphisa Open Space in Matobo district underscores the success of President Mnangagwa’s unifying vision. With preparations in full throttle and key infrastructure projects already manifesting, the hosting of the 46th Independence Day is going to be more than a ceremonial event, it is a profound and practical demonstration of the Second Republic’s commitment to balanced regional development, ensuring that the philosophy of “leaving no one and no place behind” translates directly into tangible prosperity and a strengthened sense of national ownership for the people of Matabeleland South and all Zimbabweans.
