Online Reporter
Emmanuel Kafe, [email protected]
THE symbolic Independence Flame today makes its way to Matabeleland South Province, marking the official countdown to this year’s 46th Independence Day celebrations as the Government finalises preparations at the main venue in Maphisa, where construction works have now surpassed 88 percent completion.
The flame, travelling from Harare, accompanied by roadshows, arrives as a visible symbol of national unity and the Second Republic’s decentralisation drive, with critical infrastructure at the venue — including the football pitch, terracing, drainage systems, ablution facilities and perimeter works — already in place ahead of the national event.
In Maphisa, a modern multi-purpose stadium has rapidly emerged from what was previously undeveloped bushland, where extensive earthworks, bulk excavation and ground levelling transformed uneven, hilly terrain into a standardised pitch complete with a surrounding track.
The venue will accommodate at least 5,000 people on terraces, with additional capacity expected through tented extensions. Key support infrastructure such as parking bays, changing rooms, VIP facilities and full perimeter fencing has already been completed.
According to authorities, the project is now in its final phase, with completion expected within days to allow installation of tents and media facilities — signalling Zimbabwe’s readiness to host yet another successful Independence celebration.
This year’s hosting of the national commemorations in Matabeleland South reflects the Government’s deliberate decentralisation policy under the Second Republic, which rotates major national events across provinces to accelerate infrastructure development and stimulate local economic activity in historically marginalised areas.
Site manager Engineer Sean Mukwamba from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works said the scale of works undertaken demonstrates the Government’s commitment to inclusive development.
“At the beginning, this was a bush and there was nothing here. We started from scratch, clearing the area and commencing works in September 2025,” he said.
Eng Mukwamba said the project required intensive groundwork, including bulk excavation that ran until mid-January this year to level the sloping terrain and create a suitable playing surface.
“Because the ground was not level, we had to carry out bulk excavation to make it usable for football matches,” he said.
Following the earthworks, engineers installed a comprehensive subsurface drainage system, base layers, and topsoil to ensure the pitch’s durability and quality. Terracing works commenced in mid-February and are now nearing completion.
Eng Mukwamba said the facility is now equipped with three public ablution blocks, two VIP toilets, and fully serviced changing rooms for teams, making it ready to host high-profile national events.
To safeguard the pitch against waterlogging, a state-of-the-art drainage system has been installed beneath the surface.
“We installed a subsurface drainage system with perforated pipes at five-metre intervals to carry water away from the pitch into external drains. We will also have a V-drain to capture surface runoff and direct it away from the playing area,” said Eng Mukwamba.
He expressed optimism that all work will be completed on schedule.
“In terms of progress, we are well above 88 percent completion. We are targeting to finish by this weekend and begin demobilisation to pave the way for tents and other installations,” said Eng Mukwamba.
The hosting of Independence celebrations in Maphisa is already delivering tangible infrastructure development in the district, in line with the Second Republic’s policy thrust of leaving no place and no one behind.
