Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu,[email protected]
MATABELELAND South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe, has called on the province to unite in preparing for next year’s Independence Day national celebrations, which Matabeleland South will host.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement meeting in Insiza District, Minister Nguluvhe emphasized that the responsibility of making the event a success lies not only with the hosting district but with the whole province.
The meeting brought together a broad spectrum of development players, including Members of Parliament, traditional leaders, Zanu PF officials, business leaders, miners, farmers, heads of government departments, local authorities, and councillors.
“Hosting Independence doesn’t mean it’s only being hosted by Maphisa area but by Matabeleland South as a whole province. This event will benefit not just Maphisa but the entire province. We chose Maphisa in honour of the late Father Zimbabwe, Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, and as a province, we must take pride in this,” he said.
He urged all stakeholders to actively participate in preparations, warning against a “stand-by and watch” mentality that hinders development. “This is our event and our opportunity to shine,”
Next year’s Independence Day celebrations and Children’s Party will be held in Maphisa, Matabeleland South, with the same venue slated again for 2027. These venues were chosen based on Cabinet-approved criteria for hosting the annual national celebrations.
Under the 2nd Republic’s Devolution Agenda, the hosting of Independence Day and Children’s Party celebrations has been decentralised and rotated among the ten provinces since 2021. This rotation has seen Harare (2021), Bulawayo (2022), Mashonaland Central (2023), Manicaland (2024), and Midlands (2025) hosting the events over the last five years.
The aim of the rotational hosting is to stimulate infrastructure development and growth in the targeted regions.
This year, the Independence Day celebrations and 2025 Children’s Party were held in Gokwe North District, Midlands Province.
@DubeMatutu
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