Chronicle Editor
Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
KWEKWE, the host of this year’s independence celebrations for Midlands Province, has seen a lot of infrastructural development taking place as the city prepares for the event.
The mining town will this year host the Midlands Provincial Independence celebrations becoming the first for a non-provincial capital to host the event since independence.
The event will take place at Mbizo Stadium away from the traditional Gweru’s Mkoba Stadium.
Announcing the development earlier this month, the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Cde Owen Ncube said the move was in line with the devolution agenda dovetailing into the devolved of national event celebrations as directed by President Mnangagwa.
He said it was also in the spirit of leaving no one and no place behind as it brings provincial focus on the host place.
“The City of Kwekwe will be the first to host the decentralised version of our Provincial Independence Day celebrations at Mbizo Stadium, away from the usual Mkoba Stadium which is a decision that dovetails with the national framework of leaving no one and no place behind,” said Minister Ncube.
He said in view of the foregoing, the Cabinet scheduled the 2024 National Independence Anniversary and Children’s Party celebrations to be held at Murambinda Growth Point in Buhera District, Manicaland Province.
“We, therefore, applaud the Second Republic ably led by President Mnangagwa, for pioneering the rotation of venues as the hosts stand to benefit from easy access to the venue of the commemoration, increased business activities and rehabilitation of infrastructure such as that of water and roads,” he said.
Minister Ncube said the celebrations will run under the theme: Zim@44 Unity, Peace and Development towards Vision 2030.
He implored the technical committee to execute its roles and responsibilities diligently urging the spirit of unity of purpose, effective communication, collaboration and co-ordination as they prepare for the special day in line with the theme.
He emphasised the need to consider service providers from Kwekwe.
“We want to develop Kwekwe so we want the service providers to benefit first unless there is no one who can offer that service then we can outsource. But we want musicians from Kwekwe to perform, the same will happen when we go to Gokwe or any other place within the province. We want every place to benefit from the devolved celebrations,” he said.
Ever since the announcement, Kwekwe City has been busy with preparatory work with major upgrades taking place in the area of roads as well as Mbizo Stadium, the venue of the event among other infrastructure.
Kwekwe Mayor, Councillor Albert Zinhanga said preparatory works were going on well.
“As you can see preparatory works are well underway, we are refurbishing the stadium that has actually been dilapidated. We are also repairing roads among other major works that we are doing,” he said.
Delegates from all the eight districts of Midlands Province are expected to converge on Mbizo Stadium for the occasion.
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