Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
KWEKWE City Council has revived a resolution to confer the Freedom of the City status on President Mnangagwa, in recognition of his contribution to the city’s development and national leadership.
The Freedom of the City is one of the highest ceremonial honours bestowed by a local authority, traditionally granted to individuals who have rendered distinguished service, demonstrated exceptional leadership, or made a lasting contribution to a community or the nation.
President Mnangagwa is no stranger to the honour, having previously received similar recognition from Victoria Falls and Gweru, where local authorities conferred the status on him as a mark of esteem and appreciation.
Confirming the development in an interview yesterday, Kwekwe mayor Councillor Albert Zinhanga said council had already moved the motion and was now pushing for the completion of the process.
“As Kwekwe City Council, we are delighted to have moved a motion to confer the Freedom of the City status to President Mnangagwa,” he said.
Clr Zinhanga explained that the move is not a fresh proposal, but rather the revival of a resolution adopted by the previous council between 2018 and 2023, which was never brought to finality.
“Kwekwe City Council is reviving a resolution adopted by the previous council between 2018 and 2023 that was never finalised. So, we want to make sure that this is finished as a matter of urgency,” he said.
Clr Zinhanga said the local authority has since engaged relevant Government ministries and departments to facilitate the conferment process.
“As we speak, the process is now in motion, it’s now being implemented so that the President is honoured in his home city,” he said.
Clr Zinhanga said several flagship projects underway in the city reflect the scale of transformation being experienced, citing the construction of the 10 000-seater Chahwanda Stadium, the establishment of Artificial Intelligence-driven Grain Marketing Board silos, and the rehabilitation of the Kwekwe–Zhombe Road.
Other developments include the emergence of new commercial infrastructure such as Chahwanda Complex, expansion of residential areas, and housing improvements in Mbizo, all of which are expected to strengthen Kwekwe’s position as one of the country’s key industrial centres.
“These projects underscore a push towards achieving an upper middle-income economy by 2030, with a focus on modernising the city’s skyline and strengthening its role as an industrial hub and therefore the need to honour President Mnangagwa with the Freedom of the City Status,” said Clr Zinhanga.
