Minister applauds President for empowering provinces

MINISTER of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, has commended President Mnangagwa for decentralising the Independence Day celebrations to provinces, saying the move has brought tangible infrastructure development benefits to the Midlands.

The province hosted this year’s national Independence Day commemorations in Gokwe, where development projects created employment opportunities and stimulated business growth in previously marginalised communities.

One such community is Nembudziya in Gokwe North, which has seen significant improvements in infrastructure and economic activity as a direct result of the decentralisation policy. Minister Ncube made these remarks while welcoming his Matabeleland South counterpart, Minister Albert Nguluvhe, during a “Look and Learn” visit by the Matabeleland South Provincial State Occasions Committee.

The visit followed Cabinet’s decision to move the 46th Independence Day celebrations and the Children’s Party to Matobo District.

The development underscores the nation’s commitment to the devolution policy, with the upcoming event also set to highlight the broader historical significance of the Matabeleland region, extending beyond contemporary governance.

“Hosting national events has also had a profound effect on national unity and identity. It serves as a poignant reminder of the country’s liberation history and reaffirms the national vision and shared development trajectory,” said Minister Ncube.

He said that the decentralisation policy reflects the Government’s dedication to inclusive development and its determination to bring prosperity to all corners of the country.

“It’s with profound pleasure that I address you on the occasion of the Look and Learn visit by Matabeleland South Provincial State Occasions Committee, following the decision by Cabinet for the rainbow Province to host the 46th Independence celebrations,” Minister Ncube said.

“I commend the Second Republic under the astute leadership of President Mnangagwa for decentralising Independence Celebrations to provinces, which has transformed livelihoods through infrastructure and business development, as well as employment creation in previously marginalised communities like Nembudziya in Gokwe North.”

Minister Ncube emphasised that hosting national events fosters unity and evokes memories of the country’s liberation history, national vision and shared development goals. These are underpinned by values such as hard work, commitment to duty, patriotism, and prudent resource mobilisation and allocation, as advocated under the Results-Based Management System.

Sharing insights into how the Midlands Province prepared for this year’s Independence celebrations, Minister Ncube said they immediately activated both Provincial and District State Occasions Committees. These were expanded to include Members of Parliament, traditional leaders, the church and the private sector, in line with the philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind.

He explained that the province developed a local hosting plan and resource mobilisation strategy, which proved very vital to the success of this year’s Uhuru celebrations.

“The major performance areas included the identification of access roads to the venue, chiefs’ homesteads, clinics and schools for rehabilitation, including signage.

“We wrote to local authorities requesting road equipment and drilling rigs to initiate works well before receiving support from Central Government, and we also fundraised outside the province through local ministers’ manuals,” he said.

Minister Ncube advised the Matabeleland South committee to seek support from corporates and individuals, targeting road equipment and servicing, low beds, tow trucks, fuel and borehole drilling. He also encouraged them to actively engage and assign parastatals to immediately implement projects under their purview.

He noted that this “Whole of Government” approach led to additional borehole drilling, the allocation of laptops to schools and clinics, improved internet connectivity, increased radio and television transmission, and the electrification of schools, clinics and business centres.

“There was the sprucing up of schools and clinics, including signage under local authorities, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, as well as the Ministry of Health and Child Care. Beautification of business centres was spearheaded by the owners,” he said.

In his remarks, Minister Nguluvhe expressed gratitude to the Government for giving Matabeleland South Province

the opportunity to host the forthcoming national events.
“We have come to the Midlands to learn in order to ensure we also host successful celebrations,” he said.