Mt Darwin buzzing ahead of Uhuru

Fungai Lupande

Mashonaland Central Bureau

MOUNT DARWIN, a sprawling area in Mashonaland Central, played an invaluable role in the country’s liberation.

Fierce battles were fought in and around the area, forcing the colonial administration to put communities in “keeps” to limit their interaction with freedom fighters.

The brutality visited on the people as the minority government tried to cling to power was unimaginable. Little wonder, in 2011, more than 600 bodies of people who were killed and dumped in mineshafts by Rhodesian forces were discovered at Chibondo.

It is for these reasons that Mt Darwin believes Independence Day celebrations are coming home this year, after the Government decided to host the main event in Mashonaland Central for the first time ever.

This year’s commemorations will be held at Mt Darwin High School, where the grounds are being upgraded into a stadium.

Preparations are gathering momentum and communities are naturally expectant.

Mr Munyaradzi Bhero from Chingau village in Mukumbura said he is so excited that he visits the venue regularly to check on progress and chat with workers at the site.

“My first visit to the venue was motivated by disbelief that such a big day could be commemorated here. This is history that is going to be made and I want to be a part of it every step of the way. On Independence Day, I want to be the first person to arrive for the event and I will also tell people that I was there as preparations were taking place.”

Mr Masimba Nyanyira from Pfura Extension expects to witness a spectacular event.

It will be his first time to attend national Independence Day celebrations.

“I never had a chance to go to Harare for Independence Day celebrations. I pass by the venue often to make sure there is no change of heart by Government,” he said.

“We are happy with the progress. Our children are going to learn a lot about this country’s history. This stadium is going to be our inheritance, enabling our children to have sporting activities. This is the independence our fathers fought for and we are sure the spirit of fallen heroes is happy with this move.”

Mr Patrick Karambakuwa, an entrepreneur, said Zimbabweans who will make the trip to Mt Darwin will have the rare opportunity to experience the culture, food and hospitality of the Korekore people, who make up a large part of the population in the area.

“The Korekore people of Mt Darwin are full of love. This is a lifetime event and we thank the President for honouring Mt Darwin. We know the country has many beautiful places and it means a lot for the President to come here and lead the national celebrations,” he said.

“Hosting this event is going to transform our lives as SMEs (small and medium enterprises). We are being included in the planning meetings and we hope this event is going to develop our district and economically empower us as entrepreneurs.”

Pfura Rural District Council (RDC) has created working space for over 150 SMEs close to the venue.

The council’s chief executive officer, Mr Stancelous Nyachowe, said they expect a bumper crowd because no one in Mt Darwin wants to miss the sacred event.

“The team is laying the pipe for watering the lawn. Although we faced some challenges like heavy rains, we are making up for lost time by working on 24-hour shifts,” he said.

“We are now at 80 percent completion level. We are working with contractors who are handling different sections and areas. The stadium is going to have a modern changing room that meets Zimbabwe Football Association standards.

“Another contractor is working on ablution facilities. We have embarked on division of labour to meet our deadline for construction, which is April 7. Now that the stadium is almost complete, we are starting work on access roads to the stadium.”

The District Development Fund has provided road construction equipment — two graders, a front-end loader and two roller dozers — for the works.

Other road equipment, including tipper trucks, came from Pfura RDC and sister local authorities.

The setup at the venue will include huge tents pitched up in the northern and southern parts of the stadium.

“We are anticipating an overflow . . . The overspill of people will be accommodated in the eastern side of the stadium,” he said.

A musical gala will be held as part of the celebrations and some of the artistes who will perform such as Alick Macheso and Paradzai Messi, as well as Afro jazz diva Selmor Mtukudzi, hail from the province.

Since 1980, the main Uhuru celebrations were held in Harare, but President Mnangagwa’s administration made a landmark decision to rotate the event among the provinces.

Last year, Bulawayo had the historic distinction of hosting the first main Independence Day celebrations outside the capital.