Online Reporter
Joseph Madzimure, Zimpapers Politics Hub
MATABELELAND South province is stepping up preparations to host Zimbabwe’s 46th Independence Day celebrations on April 18, 2026, Zanu-PF provincial chairman Cde Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu has announced.
Cde Ndlovu, who also serves as Minister of Industry and Commerce, confirmed in an interview this week that a high-level management meeting will be convened next week to review progress on organising the national event.
“Next week, I will be in Maphisa, Matabeleland South province, alongside my senior management team to assess the progress being made in preparation for this year’s Independence,” said Cde Ndlovu.
He expressed confidence that the province will deliver a landmark celebration that reflects its potential and leaves a lasting developmental footprint.
“The province is focused on ensuring that all aspects of the event are well-organised, allowing for a memorable celebration of national pride and unity,” said Cde Ndlovu.
The rotational hosting of Independence Day celebrations, introduced in 2021 under the Second Republic’s Devolution Agenda, has transformed rural business centres through major investment in infrastructure and community development. This marks a deliberate shift from the long-standing tradition of holding national commemorations exclusively in Harare. The initiative is designed to promote inclusivity, national cohesion and balanced development across all provinces.
Since the rotation system began, the celebrations have been held in Harare (2021), Bulawayo (2022), Mashonaland Central (2023), Manicaland (2024) and Midlands (2025). Last year’s 45th Independence Day commemorations in Nembudziya, Midlands, saw the construction of a new 2 000-seater stadium and the rollout of multiple legacy projects aimed at improving lives in Gokwe North District.
These included the construction and rehabilitation of classrooms, hostels and laboratories; upgrades to cultural heritage sites, liberation memorials and public facilities; and health infrastructure improvements, including a refurbished School of Nursing, upgraded VVIP ward and a new mortuary. The Government also established 20 telemedicine sites connected to the internet and implemented water and sanitation projects, including 37 repaired boreholes — 12 of which were solar-powered — and 57 new Village Business Units.
These initiatives align with the Government’s philosophy of “leaving no one and no place behind,” ensuring that national celebrations translate into tangible, lasting benefits for host communities.
As Matabeleland South steps into the spotlight, expectations are high for another edition of celebrations that not only honour Zimbabwe’s independence but also accelerate local development and unity.
