adminIndependence Day Celebrations illuminated Mt Darwin this week as this Mashonaland Central Province town basked in the glow of being the focus of the entire nation.
Over the years, such national events would be held in Harare.
The capital hosted most of the national events.
This gave an impression that small towns and growth points didn’t have the capacity to host such important national events.
However, President Mnangagwa changed all that this year with this bold and refreshing move to take the Uhuru Day Celebrations to Mt Darwin.
This is not an outpost in rural Zimbabwe.
This is an area which played a very huge part in the liberation struggle and, for many of its residents, this felt like the whole country was paying tribute to it for its massive contribution to the cause of our freedom.
Mt Darwin is an area, which is rich in mineral resources, which can contribute towards national development.
People from the small town, and its surrounding areas, embraced the celebrations and many of them walked long distances just to come and be part of this national event.
For many of them, this was the first time to see the stars from Dynamos and Highlanders, the country’s biggest and most supported clubs, in action.
Their memory of these players had only been shaped by what they saw on television.
Now, these athletes were at their doorstep and they came in their thousands to watch them in action.
It wasn’t just the football, and the footballers, who were a major drawcard.
The musicians, like sungura king Alick Macheso, were also in town and, for many of these rural folks, this was their golden chance to watch Baba Sharo and his crew live in action.
This is what a national event, like Independence Day, is all about – giving the people a chance to celebrate what it means to be Zimbabwean.
To celebrate their freedom which came after a lot of sacrifices for those who fought for our right to live as a free people and not as subjects of another race.
The Mt Darwin case is a good example that rural and remote areas in this country should never be left behind when it comes to the hosting of national events.
With the Africa Day, National Heroes and Defence Forces Days on the way, other rural communities, like Mt Darwin, should be considered for the right to stage these national events.
There is more to Zimbabwe than just Harare and Bulawayo.
It was such a beautiful sight to watch the thousands of people trickling in, on Independence eve, to be part of the show at the two venues for the celebrations – Pfura Stadium and Mt Darwin High.
They were all united by one cause, to celebrate this very important day in style, and to showcase their proud identity as Zimbabweans.
Business was also booming in Mt Darwin during the past few days.
Online Reporter