Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira and Debra Matabvu
MUNHUMUTAPA DAY commemorations, which will be held in Zvishavane, Midlands province, tomorrow, will focus on youth empowerment and serve as a wake-up call to address emerging threats such as drug and substance abuse that threaten the national fabric and future of young people.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said the nation will take advantage of the commemorations to celebrate President Mnangagwa, who will be turning 83 tomorrow, as a “statesman, visionary and man of the people”.
“We are celebrating the life of a statesman, a visionary, a man of the people, who has dedicated his life to the freedom and prosperity of the people of Zimbabwe,” said Minister Muswere.
“He is not only a leader who is committed to an upper middle-income society by 2030 and future success for Zimbabwe, but a champion for global peace and security. A President who wants the best for everyone.”
Munhumutapa Day, he said, is supremely important as it recognises the tremendous work by President Mnangagwa.
“We celebrate a patriot, who is a pioneer freedom fighter, a democrat and Pan-Africanist.”
More than 30 000 people, particularly the youth from across the country, are expected to converge on Zvishavane for the auspicious occasion, which is the brainchild of the ZANU PF Youth League.
The day, which is named after the Mutapa Empire pre-colonial ruler, aims to link the yesteryear progress of Madzimbahwe with the advancement being experienced under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, who has set an ambitious target for Zimbabwe to be an empowered, modern and prosperous country within the next five years.
It also seeks to honour the President for embodying the spirit of the Munhumutapa rulers by transforming the country’s infrastructure landscape, boosting food security and improving people’s lives and livelihoods at an unprecedented scale.
The day is commemorated every year, with the country’s 10 provinces hosting the event on a rotational basis.
Masvingo province had the privilege of hosting the inaugural event last year.
Major projects that were previously failing to take off, such as the construction of the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge highway and construction of the Lake Gwayi-Shangani, are well underway under the Second Republic.
Key infrastructure projects that have the potential to boost regional trade, like the Trabablas Interchange, have also been completed.
The youth will use today to celebrate milestones such as the revolving Youth Empowerment Fund, business units, farm mechanisation and the heifer pass-on scheme, which are having an impact across the country.
Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Owen Ncube said Munhumutapa Day will also coincide with the commissioning of the US$29 million Midlands Park flats, a modern development set to accommodate 1 000 families.
“We are almost done with the preparations,” he said.
“Mobilisation has been done and people from Gokwe to Mberengwa have been mobilised for the event . . . The flats have been completed and are ready for occupation and will be commissioned during the event.”
He said the launch of Munhumutapa Day in 2024 marked the beginning of a national effort to instil patriotism and national pride.
“The day was established to honour the historical significance of the Munhumutapa Empire . . .”
ZANU PF Midlands province chairperson Cde Edison Chiherenge said the day gave the youth the opportunity to interact with the President.
“Everything is now in place for this special day,” he said.
“It is a very important day for the young people as they get a chance to celebrate President Mnangagwa’s birthday, as well as interact with him. There is also going to be commissioning of flats by President Mnangagwa; however, this will be attended by senior Government officials and the party.”
ZANU PF Deputy Secretary for Youth Affairs Cde John Paradza said the celebrations honour the legacy of nation-building, with a contemporary focus on youth development and progress towards Vision 2030.
“Young people will use the day to highlight the President’s accomplishments. Among these are initiatives like the Youth Empowerment Scheme, a revolving fund, business units, agricultural mechanisation and the heifer programme, which now spans all 10 provinces,” he said.
Tomorrow’s event will be preceded by the Munhumutapa Half-Marathon that will be held today.
It will start at the Vugwi Business Centre in Zvishavane.
