Chronicle Editor
Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
NEMBUDZIYA Growth Point in Gokwe North District in the Midlands Province will be the venue for the 2025 National Independence Celebrations in line with the Government’s thrust of leaving no one and no place behind.
In a post Cabinet Briefing on Tuesday afternoon, the Minister of Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Jenfan Muswere said it was agreed that Nembudziya Growth Point in Gokwe will host the celebrations.
“Cabinet noted that hosting of the celebrations in the Midlands is continuing commitment to the mantra leaving no one and no place behind and will see massive infrastructural in the marginalised district of Midlands, and resolved that Nembudziya Open Grounds at Nembudziya Growth Point in Gokwe North District will be the venue for the 2025 National Independence Celebrations,” he said.
Subsequently, he added, Nyamuroro High School will be the venue for the Children’s Party, with Nembudziya High School Grounds being the venue for the Independence Gala while Mtapa Hall, Wha Wha Prison, Connemara Prison and Sikombela former Detention Camp will be considered as the Places of Significance in Midlands Province.
“An assessment visit of the Midlands Province to identify suitable venues to host the 2025 Independence Celebrations as proclaimed by His Excellency the President, Cde Dr Mnangagwa at Murambinda during the 2024 Independence Celebrations was undertaken by a technical team of the Cabinet Committee on State Occasions and National Monuments,” read the briefing.
The Technical Committee recommended places of historical significance in the Midlands where the celebrations will take place.
“The nation is reminded that Mtapa Hall in Gweru, Wha Wha Prison, Connemara Prison and Sikombela Detention Camp are all in Midlands Province. It was at Mtapa Hall in 1964 where ZANU held its first congress and resolved to take up arms against the white settler regime.
“The late former President, Cde Mugabe and other nationalists were once detained at the notorious Wha Wha and Sikombela Detention Centres. Cabinet approved that the Independence Torch rally should pass through these areas on its way to the venue of the Independence Celebrations. In addition, the graves of heroes and heroines lying at the provincial and district heroes’ acres will be spruced up,” said Dr Muswere.
He further noted that the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works is set to launch the Nhimbe/Ilima Road Rehabilitation Programme, the Kadoma-Sanyati-Gokwe-Nembudziya Road will be the priority project for Midlands Province.
“The programme involves all local authorities in a province identifying a priority road and pulling together resources to implement the project.
The special project will be funded by the Zimbabwe National Roads Authority, with technical assistance being provided by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency,” added Dr Muswere. @NyembeziMu
Bongani Ndlovu