Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
MATABELELAND South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe, yesterday toured legacy projects in Beitbridge as part of the province’s preparations to host Independence Day celebrations in Matobo district.
One of the key sites he visited was the Zezani Assembly Point, also known as Juliet Assembly Point, a historic location where ZIPRA and ZANLA forces gathered under the supervision of Commonwealth forces during the 1979 Lancaster House Conference.
The site, which is the only assembly point in the province and one of the 16 such centres countrywide, is also located at the old Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (Rida) campsite and is now being developed by the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ).
In addition, work on the monument, which will have an independence flame stand, flag-posts, a metal silhouette of a soldier carrying an Ak47 as a sign of victory against colonialism, an interpretive house and an interpretive board, is under construction.
Work on the project will be completed in the first week of next month, ahead of the lighting of the Independence flame in the area by Vice- President Dr Constantino Chiwenga on April 10.
After its lighting, the flame will, through the assistance of the NMMZ, be taken through all seven districts of Matabeleland South until it gets to Matobo District for the 46th Independence celebrations.
“This is a very critical point which was established during the ceasefire as we fought for our liberation from colonial rule,” said Minister Nguluvhe.
“This is the only assembly point where the Commonwealth monitoring force was based and the ZIPRA and ZANLA forces.
“Other places like Mpoengs, among others, were gathering points. So, this assembly point, known officially as Juliet and locally as Zezani, is a very important part of war heritage.
“As a Government, we have decided to upgrade this place through the National Museums and Monuments in recognition of its significance to the hard-fought independence by our fallen and living comrades”.
Minister Nguluvhe added that the monument point was strategically located at a place where the larger community of Beitbridge West meets on a regular basis for cattle sales, community market and other social gatherings.
The Government will install a solarised borehole and a piped water scheme at the site as one of its legacy projects.
Minister Nguluvhe said he was pleased with the progress on the ground and that the road linking Jopembe and Zezani will be rehabilitated, among other key roads, ahead of the independence celebrations.
“We are right on time to complete civil works before our Vice-President Dr Chiwenga arrives to light the Independence Flame as we begin the road show in our province,” he declared.
NMMZ curator, Mr Stanley Nyamagodo, said: “We are grateful for the support we are getting on the ground and we are confident that we will complete this project within our set time frame of April 5. “Already, we have completed the flag posts, the Independence Flame stand and we are almost done with the interpretive board. We also intend to rehabilitate one of the houses to accommodate our interpretative facility and we will also fence off this area to avoid vandalism and damage by domestic animals.”
Minister Nguluvhe also inspected the construction of science laboratories at Siyoka High and Malala secondary schools, part of a 40-lab project sponsored by President Mnangagwa.
These labs aim to boost Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education in the province, providing students with hands-on experience and modern learning facilities.
Minister Nguluvhe said the projects will have a lasting impact on the community, particularly in the education sector.
The science labs are expected to enhance problem-solving abilities, creativity and innovation among learners, which are essential skills for national development.
