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The main event would be in Harare at the 60 000-seater National Sports Stadium where President Mugabe would deliver his speech.
Governors from all the country’s 10 provinces would deliver the President’s speech at different centres around the country.
In Bulawayo, the provincial celebrations are set for White City Stadium while in Matabeleland South the venue is Pelandaba Stadium in Gwanda.
Somhlolo Stadium will host Matabeleland North celebrations in Lupane while Mkoba Stadium and Mucheke Stadium host the provincial events for Midlands and Masvingo provinces.
Districts would also hold their own celebrations.
The Zimbabwe National Army, Zimbabwe Republic Police and Zimbabwe Prisons Services were yesterday morning putting final touches to the preparations at White City Stadium.
When Chronicle arrived at White City Stadium, the uniformed forces were undergoing drills in preparation for the event while tents had been pitched, four flags hoisted, three of them belonging to the uniformed forces, with the fourth being the national one.
The Bulawayo programme would start with a march by drum majorettes and uniformed forces from D-Square in Njube suburb at 7.30am to White City Stadium.
In separate interviews this week, spokespersons of political parties urged their supporters to attend the celebrations in large numbers but urged them not to wear party regalia.
Acting Zanu-PF chairman for Bulawayo Province Cde Killian Sibanda urged the people of Bulawayo to attend in their numbers to honour and celebrate an important day in the history of the country.
“We want to urge all the people of Bulawayo to come in their numbers to mark this important day. We cannot afford to forget this day because it spells out how we took back our country from colonisers. We are appealing to everyone, be it church or political organisations, to attend and fill the venue,” said Cde Sibanda.
He said people should celebrate in the spirit of togetherness without disorder or fighting so that there is peace.
“We should celebrate in the same way we celebrate weddings in peace, unity and without disorder. The people of Bulawayo should come out in full force to support Governor Cain Mathema who will be the guest of honour,” said Cde Sibanda.
He said as a party provincial leader, he was happy political parties had joined hands in preparations for the historic event. “According to the organising committee, preparations were above board. There was no problem in the preparations and it seems people are now used to working together in national events,” said Cde Sibanda.
Mr Nhlanhla Dube, MDC national spokesperson, said his party cherishes the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters.
“We are part of the country’s independence as a party. Our constitution recognises our independence and we will always salute and honour our heroes so that every Zimbabwean celebrates independence and freedom,” he said.
Mr Dube said his party was preparing for the celebrations in unison with other parties.
“We will fully participate in the celebrations because independence was not for a single political party or grouping but a day everyone was freed from colonial bondage. We want to urge all our party supporters to fully embrace the day as Zimbabweans and not as a party and that we should accept and recognise the sub-structure pattern of our country and that we must be proud of what we are,” he said.
Zapu regional co-ordinator for southern region, which covers Bulawayo, Matabeleland, Midlands and Masvingo provinces, Mr Mark Mbayiwa, said there was no going back about the country’s independence and his party fully subscribed to it.
He said the differences in political ideology were not on independence but on the way some issues were being handled. “We fought for this country as Zapu and there is no going back on the issue of independence. We respect Independence Day and urge all our members to go to the venues of celebrations in their numbers.
“We are making all arrangements possible on the ground to ensure that we are part and parcel of the celebrations,” said Mr Mbayiwa.
MDC-T Bulawayo spokesperson Mr Mandlenkosi Sibanda said his party met and agreed to join the nation in the celebrations as it subscribed to the independence of the country.
The national spokesperson for Mavambo Kusile Dawn, Mr Silver Bhebhe, said Independence Day was a national day, which every Zimbabwean should cherish.
“We are definitely going to participate on this day. It is a national day for all of us and not a party event. We have structures in all the 10 provinces and we are all participating. We encourage party members to take part because we all should take stock of what we have achieved as a country since independence,” he said.
Zanu-PF Matabeleland South provincial deputy spokesperson Cde Jabulani Phetshu said 10 beasts would be slaughtered in Insiza North district where hundreds of villagers would also celebrate.
Online Reporter