marble nkomo
Zimpapers Reporters
TENS of thousands of Zimbabweans yesterday thronged venues across the country as the nation marked its 46th Independence anniversary through decentralised provincial celebrations, a shift that brought the commemorations closer to communities and underscored the Government’s devolution agenda.
This year’s provincial events were deliberately held outside traditional provincial capitals, in line with the Second Republic’s policy of decentralisation, allowing previously marginalised districts to host national programmes.
The provincial celebrations ran concurrently with the main national event presided over by President Mnangagwa in Maphisa, Matabeleland South, drawing large crowds and reflecting a strong sense of national pride.
White City Stadium was the venue for Bulawayo provincial commemorations where Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, read the President’s speech on behalf of Provincial Affairs Minister, Cde Judith Ncube. From the early hours of the morning, scores of people from across Bulawayo poured into the stadium, waving the national flag and clad in outfits reflecting Zimbabwe’s national colours.
The atmosphere was electric, with families, youths, war veterans, and community groups converging to celebrate the country’s hard-won freedom in a unified show of patriotism. The venue quickly became a spectacle of colour and sound, as traditional dance troupes, school children, and uniformed forces lined up to take part in proceedings that paid homage to the country’s liberation struggle and its journey since attaining independence in 1980.
Vendors dotted the surroundings, adding to the festive mood as they sold refreshments, flags, and memorabilia, further reinforcing the celebratory spirit. Proceedings officially began with the hoisting of the national flag and the singing of the national anthem, moments that drew cheers from the crowd. Cultural performances took centre stage, with groups showcasing Zimbabwe’s rich heritage through traditional dances such as isitshikitsha and imbube — drawing loud applause from spectators.
School children from various institutions across the province delivered polished displays, including choreographed routines that highlighted themes of unity, resilience, and national development.
Members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces kept crowds alive with disciplined march past that underscored the importance of national security and sovereignty. The precision and co-ordination of the parade were met with admiration from the crowd, many of whom captured the moment on their mobile phones.
In Harare Metropolitan Province, thousands gathered at St Aidan’s Primary School in Chitungwiza, where Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Senator Charles Tawengwa officiated and delivered the Presidential address. Residents from suburbs including Glen View, Budiriro, Mabvuku and Dzivaresekwa began arriving as early as 8am, forming long queues at the venue.
Many welcomed the decentralised approach, saying it had made the celebrations more accessible. Zanu-PF Harare provincial chairperson Godwills Masimirembwa said the province had reason to celebrate, citing major infrastructure developments such as the Trabablas Interchange, the upgraded Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport and the new Parliament building.
The hosting of the event in Chitungwiza follows last year’s commemorations in Epworth, reinforcing the shift away from centralised venues.
In the Midlands Province, Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane was a hive of activity as a bumper crowd descended on the venue as early as 8am.
Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, presided over the proceedings and read the President’s speech. By mid-morning, every seat was filled and hundreds more lined the embankment waving flags draped over shoulders and paintings across smiling faces.
Different art groups and school children danced in the aisles and were joined along by members of the public, who blew vuvuzelas, whistled and chanted slogans celebrating 46 years of independence. Beyond the stadium gates, the celebrations fuelled a booming street economy as vendors lined the roads leading to Mandava, selling food, drinks, national flags, scarves, hats and whistles.
Smoke from braai stands mixed with the sweet scent of boiled maize as queues formed and cleared in quick succession.
“I started selling water, drinks and snacks at 8AM and I had already sent for more stock by midday,” said one vendor near the main entrance. “When Zvishavane hosts, everyone eats.”
Local business owners echoed the sentiment, with transport operators, lodges and fuel stations reporting brisk trade from visitors who had travelled from across the province. From the first flag waved in the morning to the last song belted out at sunset, the energy inside Mandava showed no sign of fading. It was Zvishavane’s moment in the national spotlight — and the crowd made it count. In Matabeleland North scores of people thronged the Hwange Colliery Stadium undeterred by morning rains that pounded the mining town.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Richard Moyo, led the proceedings and addressed crowds drawn from the seven districts – Hwange, Binga, Bubi, Lupane, Nkayi, Tsholotsho and Umguza.
Cde Moyo read the President’s Independence Day speech, which called for unity, peace and accelerated development under the devolution agenda. Members of the uniformed forces, joined by art groups kept the gathering asking for more their scintillating performances and mass displays while various sporting events were lined up in the afternoon.
“I travelled from Binga to be here. Seeing our army and police march like that makes me proud to be Zimbabwean,” said Mrs Sithabile Ndlovu, who attended with her two children.
Mr Learnmore Shoko from Number 2 said the Amputee Soccer match was the highlight for him: “Rain or no rain, these guys are showing us that disability is not inability. This is the spirit of independence.”
A gala featuring local artists from Hwange and Victoria Falls was expected later in the evening to cap the celebrations.
In Manicaland, thousands gathered at Gaza Stadium in Chipinge, filling the venue by mid-morning in appreciation of the Government’s decentralisation policy. Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Misheck Mugadza officiated, while a Mozambican delegation led by Manica Province Secretary Professor Lourenco Mateus Lindonde attended in solidarity.
Masvingo Province hosted its main event at Gibbo Stadium in Chiredzi, also for the first time under the decentralisation drive. Thousands packed the venue, with proceedings including a parade mounted by members of the uniformed forces and traditional dance performances.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira officiated, while a Mozambican delegation led by Gaza Province Secretary of State Jaime Bessa Augusto Neto delivered a solidarity message.
In Mashonaland Central, celebrations were held at Chimhanda Grounds in Rushinga, where Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Christopher Magomo-led proceedings after commissioning Chimhanda School of Nursinwg.
Festivities included traditional performances, sporting activities and participation from a Zambian delegation led by Luangwa District Commissioner Luke Chikani, who reaffirmed strong bilateral ties.
Mashonaland East commemorations were held at Chikondoma Stadium in Mutoko, where thousands gathered for celebrations officiated by Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Itayi Ndudzo.
The event featured military displays, entertainment and exhibitions, and was attended by a Mozambican delegation led by Tete Provincial Secretary of State Cristina de Jesus Xavier Mafumi, who commended Zimbabwe’s enduring independence legacy.
In Mashonaland West, St Michael High School in Siakobvu, Kariba District, was a hive of activity as thousands of people from across the province gathered to commemorate Independence Day.
Traditional leaders and members of the predominantly Tonga-speaking community welcomed the decentralisation and rotation of national events, saying the move had brought both recognition and tangible development to previously marginalised areas.
Across the provinces, the decentralised commemorations highlighted the growing importance of taking national events to grassroots communities, fostering inclusivity, national unity and a shared sense of ownership of the country’s independence celebrations.
Online Reporter