Midlands heightens preps for Uhuru celebrations

PREPARATIONS for this year’s national Independence Day celebrations have accelerated, with construction materials and equipment now on site.

Workers are upgrading access roads to facilitate travel to and from Gokwe North.

Today we begin the countdown to the country’s 45th Independence celebrations. Zimpapers Politics Hub is following the story with keen interest as it develops and will keep you informed.

It is going to be an interesting month on this thread.

Happy reading!

Gokwe, the place to be on April 18

This year’s celebrations will take place at Nembudziya Growth Point Open Ground in Gokwe North, under the theme Zim@45: Devolve and Develop Together towards Vision 2030.

The Second Republic introduced a rotational system for hosting the Uhuru celebrations, and last year, Murambinda in Buhera, Manicaland, hosted the event.

Organisers expect the April 18th celebrations to draw over 60 000 people from all ten provinces of Zimbabwe.

In an interview with Zimpapers Politics Hub, Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Owen Ncube said preparations are progressing well.

“We have received materials and equipment is now on site. We are working diligently to complete all access roads to Gokwe South within the next 30 days,” Minister Ncube said.

“We are improving the Kwekwe-Chitekete Road and all access roads leading to the venue. Additionally, we are drilling boreholes and planting lawn on the soccer pitch, which will host the Independence match. Everything is proceeding according to plan.”

On Monday, Minister Ncube presided over a preparatory meeting in Midlands Province to assess preparations for the grand national event.

At the meeting, it was revealed that the venue and access roads have been revamped, whilst over 200 beasts have been secured.

To transport delegates to the venues, the Government has mobilised over 369 buses for equitable distribution across the country’s provinces.

The national Independence Day celebrations are expected to usher in massive developmental projects for Gokwe Nembudziya, including infrastructure upgrades on roads, clinics, schools and network base stations.

Construction of legacy projects is underway at the main arena in Gokwe North Open Grounds, the gala site at Nembudziya Government High School, and the Children’s Party venue at Nyamuroro High School.

What to expect

As per tradition, the Children’s Party will precede the main celebrations on April 17th at Nyamuroro High School, followed by the Independence Gala at Nembudziya Government High School on the eve of April 18th.

The First Family will host 3 050 child delegates at Nyamuroro High School on April 17th. Child delegates will arrive at Nyamuroro High School on April 15th and depart on April 19th.

Highlights of the events leading up to the celebrations include the customary torch relay and the lighting of the Independence Flame enroute to the main venue. A diverse group of artists and dance groups from Kwekwe, Gokwe, and other districts will perform during the celebrations.

Simba Bhora and FC Platinum football clubs, the top two teams in the Premier League, will play during the main Independence Day Anniversary celebrations.

Herentals Queens and Black Rhinos Football Clubs will play during the 2025 Children’s Party celebrations.

Last year, Dynamos and Highlanders played during the Uhuru celebrations in Buhera.

Traditional leaders welcome Independence celebrations

Traditional leaders in Gokwe have said they feel honoured by the decision made by the Second Republic to hold this year’s main independence celebrations in the district, saying the decision shatters Gokwe’s long-standing perception of neglect and signifies a profound recognition of its place within the nation.

Chief Chireya expressed gratitude to the Second Republic for honouring the district with the opportunity to host these significant celebrations.

“I was at Nembudziya Growth Point, and while monitoring the progress of preparations, I witnessed first-hand the transformative impact of hosting these celebrations. As a traditional leader from this district, I am deeply grateful to the Second Republic for honouring us with the opportunity to host these significant celebrations.

“The legacy projects built for this event will bring lasting benefits to our district. For example, Nembudziya Government High School, the Gala site, and Nyamuroro High School, the Children’s Party venue, have all seen substantial improvements. Classrooms have been refurbished, and reliable water supplies have been established through newly drilled boreholes,” said Chief Chireya.

The Government ensured a supply of clean, safe, and adequate drinking water by drilling 110 boreholes in Gokwe North and South districts, including three boreholes at the event sites.

“Importantly, Gokwe North now boasts a stadium, a direct result of these celebrations. We anticipate people from Kadoma, Kwekwe, and beyond will come to utilise this facility. This development signifies a major step forward for our community,” added Chief Chireya.

Chief Nemangwe concurred, stating that the preparations for Independence Day have brought development to the district.

Nembudziya Road gets facelift ahead of Independence celebrations

Work has begun on the Alaska-Kenzamba-Nembudziya Road after the contractor moved onsite to start rehabilitation of the road ahead of the 45th Independence Day celebrations set for Nembudziya in Gokwe North.

To improve access to the venue, Frogmerge Construction is rehabilitating a 40-kilometre stretch of road from Makonde to Gokwe-Nembudziya Constituency.

The project involves re-gravelling, grading and surface compaction.

Mr Webster Magaya, the company’s Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) officer, who is also assisting in supervising the project, said the task will be completed ahead of the celebrations.

Makonde legislator, Cde Simbarashe Ziyambi, said the road’s rehabilitation will benefit the community by improving transport links and accessibility.

The project has also created employment opportunities for local youths who have been engaged by the contractor.

Once completed, the rehabilitated road will significantly shorten travel distances between Harare, Mashonaland Central and the western parts of Mashonaland West Province, making it easier for people to reach Nembudziya.