Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
MATABELELAND South on Thursday held its first Provincial Development Committee (PDC) meeting for the year, with Ministries, Departments and Agencies urged up upscale efforts for the successful hosting to the 2026 Independence Day Celebrations by the province.
Addressing PDC members in Gwanda, Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mrs Lathiso Dlamini Maseko said all legacy projects are expected to be implemented within the set time lines.
“I was looking into the progress we are making as we prepare to host the Independence Celebrations and I can safely say we are gaining traction. A lot has been done and a lot has been done. As we move forward I urge all of you to rise to the occasion.
“You know your roles as Ministry’s, Departments and Agencies. Once you receive your budgets let’s have all hands on deck and ensure that you run with your projects so that they can be completed timeously. Let’s not sleep on the job. We have been given this task as a province and let’s ensure we deliver,” she said.
Mrs Dlamini- Maseko urged stakeholders to meet regularly, produce reports and monitor progress on projects. She said departments are expected to leave their offices and monitor projects on the ground.
Mrs Dlamini- Maseko said all projects are expected to be completed within the stipulated timeframe.
“Let’s ensure that we hold our meetings religiously as committees. Today’s meeting marks the official commencements of our Independence preparations as a PDC. We will be meeting fortnightly as committee and in March we will be meeting weekly and if need arises we will be meeting daily as the celebrations draw closer.
“We are the implementers and engines of this year’s Independence celebrations. We are not only doing this for our province but nation. If we fail to deliver we would have let the people of this nation down,” she said.
This year’s Independence Day celebrations and Children’s Party will be held in Maphisa area in Matabeleland South Province followed by Masvingo in 2027.
The venues have been selected in line with the Cabinet-approved criteria for the selection of a venue for hosting the annual Independence Day and Children’s Party celebrations.
The 2nd Republic’s Devolution Agenda catalysed a transformative shift, decentralising these events and instituting a rotational format across the ten provinces, commencing in 2021.
The rotation of provinces hosting Independence Day and Children’s Party Celebrations has seen Harare, 2021; Bulawayo, 2022; Mashonaland Central, 2023; Manicaland, 2024; and Midlands, 2025 hosting in the last five years.
The goal is to use these events to drive infrastructure growth in targeted areas.
Last year’s Independence Day Celebrations and 2025 Children’s Party were held in Gokwe North District, Midlands Province.
@DubeMatutu
