Online Reporter
Bruce Ndlovu, Sunday News Reporter
AS the country’s 46th Independence Day reaches homestretch, residents of Maphisa say the event is more than just a celebration, as legacy projects undertaken by the Second Republic in recent months have transformed the face of Matobo District and Matabeleland South Province beyond their expectations.
What some thought would be modest preparations for the singular intention of celebrating the country’s liberation from colonial oppression have confounded many, with various projects, some of which are finished or on the cusp of completion, turning Maphisa into one of the busiest centres in Zimbabwe.
The Bulawayo-Kezi Road, which many over the years had decried as a thorn in the flesh of travellers, has been transformed by the workmanship of dedicated crews that have laboured, day and night, to tame a strip that had turned wild over the years, posing a risk to vehicles and lives.
Meanwhile, steady progress has been recorded in the construction of Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Vocational Training Centre, with the hope that the institution might once and for all stem rampant brain drain in the province.
The construction of 41 laboratories has also given fresh hope that pass rates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects will now improve across Matobo’s seven districts.
The construction of the Isizinda Cultural Village and a museum at the Ratanyana Battle Site has also served as a timely reminder that, as the country celebrates its independence, it is still in touch with a past that made the current era of self-rule and peace possible.
For Maphisa residents, the whirlwind of developments experienced over the past few weeks has been breath-taking, with the scale of development the greatest indicator that the independence celebrations are more than just a day.
As excitement continues to build ahead of the country’s 46th Independence Day celebrations, voices from across Maphisa echo a shared sentiment, that this moment represents transformation, opportunity, and long-awaited recognition.
For many residents, the developments that have accompanied the Uhuru preparations are not fleeting gestures tied to a national event, but lasting investments that will shape the district’s future for generations.
Ms Semukele Dube, a local businessperson, said the scale of change had exceeded expectations, bringing both pride and tangible economic opportunities.
“I think the greatest thing about bringing the Independence celebrations to Maphisa for the first time is that we will have a lot of developments that will come about from this.
“Everywhere we look, things are happening. Roads are being constructed, school laboratories are being built, and we finally have a stadium that we can call our own.
“All this is infrastructure that will be with us for a long time, well after the event has passed. It’s more than just a day for us. This is something that has changed the face of the town for good,” she said.
“As a business person, I am very pleased with the activity that we have seen so far. Obviously, we want to celebrate the day and see our leaders, but we also have eyes on our stock, and things are looking good so far.
“We will have people coming from far and wide, and this is the time to maximise our profits. We are stocked up and ready for what’s coming because we’ve had to change our approach to business, as the number of people we will be handling is unprecedented.”
Another resident, Ms Sakhile Nyathi said the developments had stirred deep emotions among residents, many of whom had waited decades to see such progress.
“We are so happy, and I don’t know how we will express our happiness on the day of the event. We are overwhelmed because the scale of development is unbelievable. We are so happy with what has taken place at Mahetshe Secondary, and we are even happier with the development of the road because this is something that has been of concern to us for decades. I don’t know how we can express our gratitude,” said Ms Nyathi.
“For the first time in my life, I will be able to see the country’s President. It might not be a great deal for people who are used to it, but for me it’s something to cherish because we are always hearing about him but never actually see him. Before these celebrations, he was just another name, but now we will be able to see him first-hand. This is our
President, and he will be here with us in Maphisa.”
For Mr Vusa Moyo, the construction of a stadium stands out as a deeply personal milestone, symbolising possibilities that were out of reach for previous generations.
“For me, the most exciting thing is the development of the stadium because I grew up playing football around here. I love the game, but I never had a chance to showcase my skills in an arena like the one that we have now. So when I see a development like that, it just brings a lot of excitement, and that’s the greatest gift that a man can have. I hope younger people cherish it because we did not have opportunities like that when we were growing up,” he said.
St Joseph’s parish priest, Father Makawule Ndlovu, said the developments were not only physical but carried spiritual and social significance, particularly in addressing long-standing challenges such as migration and unemployment.
“I want to praise the President of the country for spearheading development in the region. As a religious leader, I’m happy that we are seeing massive developments in the area. We are happy about the building of the college koNyongolo because we believe that this is something that will bring rapid development and employment in the area.
There’s a lot of migration from here to South Africa and other places in the world but such developments mean that even if they go out, they have something to hold on to,” he said.
“The children of Matobo have worked hard, and it is pleasing to see what they have worked on being appreciated by the outside world. A lot of places have been put for rent or hire during this period, and we have no fear that people might be disappointed by their lodgings because the homes are just beautiful. This is the work of the hands of the children of Matobo District, and as religious leaders, we are proud of them,” said Fr Ndlovu.
Bongani Ndlovu