admin
amid calls by political parties for their supporters to turn out in large numbers for the event.
The main event would be in Harare at the 60 000-seater National Sports Stadium where President Mugabe is expected to deliver a speech.
Governors from all the country’s 10 provinces would deliver the President’s speech at different centres around the country.
Celebrations would also be held at district levels in various provinces.
This year’s celebrations would be held under the theme: ‘Zimbabwe @ 33 — Peace, Prosperity and Economic Empowerment for National Development’.
Harare acting provincial Governor Mr Alfred Tome yesterday said everything was in place for the big day.
“We are more than ready and what is only needed now is for the people to fill the stadium. Transport will be available at the usual pick-up points and we expect people to be seated as early as possible.”
He said for those arriving early, entertainment would be provided by Alick Macheso and Suluman Chimbetu.
“There is a lot of entertainment lined up and it is not going to be a boring day. After the main event people will be treated to a soccer match pitting league Champions Dynamos and runners-up Highlanders,” he said.
Chairman of the Independence Organising taskforce, who is also Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo said more than 30 Zupco buses had been confirmed for free and 10 private operators had pledged to provide free transport in Harare.
He said every political party was tasked to assist with transport to ferry people to the various venues while route permits for transporters ferrying people to the celebrations would be suspended.
Minister Chombo said invitations for the celebrations were sent to embassies, ministers, political party leaders and other dignitaries.
Contingency plans have been made at the main venue of celebrations and two big generators are on standby in case of power supply interruptions. There is also a big screen for wide viewership.
In separate interviews yesterday spokespersons of political parties urged their supporters to attend the celebrations in large numbers but urged them not to wear party regalia.
Zanu-PF spokersperson Cde Rugare Gumbo said it was time to celebrate the achievements Zimbabwe had made in the past 33 years.
“This is an important day on our calendar and as we celebrate let us remember that thousands of sons and daughters sacrificed their lives to liberate us,” he said.
“We have made achievements in the land reform and the indigenisation and economic empowerment programme and this is a day worth celebrating.”
MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora said people should celebrate in the spirit of togetherness with no violence.
“Everybody must go and celebrate. It is a day that reminds us of the success in the fight against oppression. It is a day Zimbabwe will always cherish. We must commit ourselves to peace ahead of the elections,” he said.
MDC spokesperson Mr Kurauone Chihwayi said Zimbabweans, despite their different political affiliations, should join hands in celebrating the day.
“The MDC respects and values the independence day. We view April 18 as Zimbabwe’s birthday and this is the time to demonstrate our usual maturity and join hands in celebrating. Political leaders should use the day to unite people as we head for the general elections sometime this year,” he said.
In Masvingo, the main celebrations would be held at Mucheke Stadium in the provincial capital while all the seven administrative districts in the province are also expected to conduct festivities to mark the important day.
Glen View
Glen View 1 Shopping Centre
Glen View 2 Clinic
Glen View 3 Shopping Centre
Glen View 4 Shopping Centre
Glen View Area 8 factory shells Tichagarika
Glen Norah
Spacemen Terminus
Farai Shopping Centre
Masimbi Bus Terminus
Chitubu Shopping Centre
Budiriro
Budiriro 1 Shopping Centre
Budiriro 2 Shopping Centre
Budiriro 3 Shopping Centre
Budiriro 4 Shopping Centre
Budiriro 5 Shopping Centre
Mufakose
Gwenyambira Bus Terminus
Mhishi Shopping Centre
OK Mufakose
Kambuzuma
Kambuzuma 1 Terminus
Kambuzuma 1High
Kambuzuma 5 Shopping Centre
Rugare
Rugare Shopping centre
Southerton
Fleming round about
Lochinvar
Club Hide Out 99
Warren Park
Warren Park 1 Shopping Centre
Pamaphotos
Mereki Shopping Centre
Warren Park D Shopping Centre
Cold Comfort
Waterfalls District
Parktown Shopping Centre
St John’s Retreat School Eyerstone
DDF Manyame
Hopley
Herbert Chitepo Cooperative
Ushewokunze Housing Cooperative
Ashdown Park
Shopping centre
Avondale
Avondale Shopping Centre
Kuwadzana
Kuwadzana 2 Shopping Centre
Kuwadzana 4 Shopping Centre
Kuwadzana 5 Shopping Centre
Kuwadzana 6 Shopping Centre
Kuwadzana Extension Police
White House Shops
Areno Shops
Cranborne
Cranborne Baracks
Queensdale Shopping Centre
Hatfield
Chans Shopping Centre
Hatfield Hall
Maruta Shopping Centre
Msasa Park Creche
Chadcombe Shopping Centre
Sunningdale
Sunningdale 2 Shopping Centre
Sunningdale 3 open space
Good Hope
Chigomo
Marlborough
Civic Centre
Mabelreign
Mabelreign Shopping Centre
Inkomo
1 Para Regiment
Manyame
Manyame Airbase
Ruwa-TM
Council Offices
Epworth
Epworth Shopping Centre
Overspill Shopping Centre
Muguta Secondary School
Spar
Corner Store
Makomo
Domboramwari
Chizungu
Greendale
Pangolin Farm
Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison
Support Unit
Kamfinsa Shopping Centre
Mandara Shopping Centre
Msasa
I.T.G
Letombo Park
Athlone Shopping Centre
All political parties will manage the pick-up points and work under the police.
Online Reporter