adminPamela Shumba Senior Reporter
PREPARATIONS for the 34th Independence Day commemorations in Bulawayo, Matabeleland South and North provinces are at an advanced stage, with organising committees expecting high turnouts in the three provinces. The provinces are also preparing for their Charity Balls, which are traditionally held on the eve of Independence Day on April 17.
Bulawayo provincial administrator, Khonzani Ncube said the province was geared for the event.
“Preparations for the event are at an advanced stage with a lot of entertainment lined up for the day. The event will be held at White City Stadium and everyone is expected to be there at 8AM. We have organised transport to ferry people from the traditional pick-up points to the venue,” said Ncube.
“We have also started selling tickets for the Charity Ball, which will be held at the Large City Hall. I would like to encourage the corporate world and individuals to support the Charity Ball, which is specifically held to assist under-privileged people.” She urged the people of Bulawayo to come in their numbers to celebrate the country’s hard-won independence.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Matabeleland North, Cde Cain Mathema, said the province was ready for the provincial commemorations, which would be held in Lupane.
“Our province is ready for the Independence Day commemorations that will be held next week. Our sub-committees are ready for the important event, where we are expecting to host thousands of people.
“Our sub-committees, which include transport, entertainment and security, have been in place for about three months now working day in and day out to make the event a success. We are also preparing for the Charity Ball, which would be held on 17 April,” said Cde Mathema.
Cde Mathema urged the people of Matabeleland North to come in their numbers, in celebrating the important day and said those who were willing to help with the preparations of the event were welcome.
He said the commemorations for this year were unique as they come at a time when Zanu-PF was celebrating its resounding victory in the harmonised elections in July last year.
“We are celebrating Independence Day at a time when our revolutionary party, Zanu-PF resoundingly won the 2013 elections. We are also celebrating the economic blue-print, the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim Asset), which is expected to bring economic liberation to the people of Zimbabwe. I am certain that the event will be a success countrywide. Our province, however, needs assistance in cash and in kind from well wishers. Those who want to help with food or cash should visit us,” he said.
His Matabeleland South counterpart, Cde Abednico Ncube said his province was more than ready for the event, which would be held in Gwanda. He also called on the people in his province to assist with preparations for the event, saying it was every citizen’s duty to give the important event their maximum support.
“We are more than ready to celebrate the national day. It is a day when we reflect on where we come from as a country and remind one another the importance of this day. We all know that a lot of blood was shed for this country to be liberated. It is therefore everybody’s duty to be part of the celebrations, including the preparations.
“I am happy that our province is making progress as far as the logistics of the event are concerned, quite a number of entertainment activities are lined up for the day and people are going to ferried to and from the venue,” said Cde Ncube.
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