Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba/Freedom Mupanedemo, Midlands Bureau
Preparations for the 45th Independence Day commemorations, set for April 18 at the Mutora Open Grounds in Nembudziya, Gokwe North, in the Midlands Province, are nearly complete, with significant infrastructure and service delivery improvements already reshaping the host district.
To be held under the theme “Zim@45: Devolve and Develop Together Towards Vision 2030,” this year’s celebrations promise to be both a patriotic milestone and a transformative experience for the local community.
The decentralisation of the commemorations, previously held mainly in Harare, has brought socio-economic development to the hosting district, in line with the Second Republic’s philosophy of “leaving no one and no place behind.”
The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) is leading the establishment of 70 village and school business units under the Presidential Rural Development Programme, which will benefit over 7 000 households by providing clean and reliable water.
Major infrastructure projects are nearing completion at the main event arena, gala site and the venue for the traditional Children’s Party. The Government has drilled several boreholes in both Gokwe North and Gokwe South, including around event sites, improving access to water for communities.
Over 300 youths and women have already been employed in various construction and service projects as preparations intensify. The convergence of national celebration and infrastructural advancement is set to leave a lasting mark, with over 100 000 people expected to participate in this historic moment.
In previous years, Harare has been the host of the national festivities, but under the Second Republic, President Mnangagwa has directed that the commemorations be rotated across the different provinces, aligning with his administration’s vision of leaving no one and no place behind.
Rotating the celebrations ensures that all regions of the country benefit from the legacy projects associated with hosting the main event.
Zanu-PF Midlands provincial chairperson, Cde Edson Chiherenge, said the province is fully prepared to host the national celebrations.
“At the Mutora Open Grounds, the stadium has been established. The lawn, changing rooms and terraces are taking shape. Schools like Nyamuroro have been refurbished with new boys’ and girls’ hostels under construction, while other schools have had their roofs repaired, buildings repainted and sanitation facilities improved,” he said.
Roads leading to Nembudziya are being rehabilitated to facilitate travel to the venue. Key roadworks include pothole patching and resurfacing of the Kwekwe-Gokwe-Siabuwa Road, grading and gravelling of the Gokwe-Jahana-Tchoda Road, Alaska-Copper Queen Road, grading and patching on the Sanyati-Kuwirirana-Nemangwe Road and five kilometres of tarring and grading on the Kuwirirana-Nembudziya Road.
The Rural Electrification Fund (REF) has connected several schools and business centres to grid electricity, including Chikarimatsito Primary School, Mashamba Way Business Centre and Chiutsi and Copper Queen business centres. In addition, the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) is electrifying Mutora low and high-density suburbs at Nembudziya Growth Point.
Three new base stations have also been constructed to enhance internet access and communication across Gokwe North.
In a statement, Zinwa spokesperson, Mrs Marjorie Munyonga said the 74 business units being rolled out are a key component of the Presidential Rural Development Programme, which seeks to empower rural communities and integrate them into the mainstream economy.
“This development will also leave at least 7 400 households with access to clean and safe water, as the business units come with communal water points,” she said.
Mrs Munyonga said the village and school business units are being established under the ongoing Presidential Rural Development Programme, which seeks to radically improve rural livelihoods and transform rural communities into active economic participants.
Each business unit includes a solar-powered borehole, a 10 000-litre water tank, a one-hectare drip irrigation garden, two fish ponds and a communal water point.
To date, 28 business units have been completed, with the remainder at various stages of development. Beneficiaries include Nyamuroro Secondary and Primary Schools, Nyamuroro Vocational Training Centre, Tafara Primary (Gumunyu), Dukaupfu Secondary (Ward 13), Tongogara Primary (Ward 24), Gura Primary (Ward 6), Rubatsiro Clinic and various village sites such as Nyika 2, Mabika, Murota, Chiwa and Mukomboni.
Mrs Munyonga said the Presidential Rural Development Programme will eventually see the drilling of a borehole at each of the country’s 35 000 villages, 9 600 schools and 4 500 vocational training and youth centres.
“These boreholes form the anchor component for the establishment of the village, youth, and school business units, typically comprising a solar-powered borehole, 10 000-litre water storage tanks, a one-hectare drip technology garden, two fishponds, and a communal water point,” she explained.
The programme is being implemented by several key agencies. Zinwa is in charge of infrastructure development, while the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (Arda) manages business operations.
The Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) provides market linkage and business development, and AFC Bank offers funding and financial support. The units operate as formal businesses, with community members acting as employees and shareholders.
“Some communities are already earning dividends of up to US$3 000 and monthly pay-outs of around US$50.
Produce from these units is now being supplied to supermarkets, schools and local markets,” said Mrs Munyonga.
Since its inception in 2021, over 400 business units have been established across the country, improving livelihoods and contributing to Vision 2030 goals.
The Independence celebrations in Gokwe will feature the symbolic lighting of the Independence Flame, a torch relay and cultural performances by traditional dance groups and artistes from Kwekwe, Gokwe and surrounding districts.
With over 100 000 people expected to attend, this year’s event is more than just a commemoration; it is a showcase of rural transformation in action.
derick.khumalo