Principals to attend Uhuru

in Harare today and to emphasise the national standing of the event, have all agreed to ban all party regalia.
While the National Sports Stadium in Harare will host, as is now firm custom, the central celebration with President Mugabe, Provincial Governors and senior Government officials are expected to officiate at provincial and district venues as well as read the President’s speech.
Leaders of all political parties in the inclusive Government have promised to attend the celebrations, urging Zimbabweans to come in their numbers.
Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatious Chombo yesterday said the organising committee had completed the preparations.
“We held a meeting in the morning together with Minister (Webster) Shamu . . . we wanted to see the set up.
“The stadium is ready, the public address system is ready. We have one standby speaker system. Electricity has been catered for and we have two standby generators,” he said, adding Zesa electricians would be on site to handle emergencies.
Zupco would provide buses at the “usual pick up” points and those who live near the stadium were urged to walk to the venue.
The wearing of political regalia has been outlawed.
“All Zimbabweans are urged to attend because this event does not have any political alignment,” he said.
He said more than 1 000 sub national celebrations would take place across the country.
Minister Chombo said provinces had been preparing for the past two months and were ready.
The MDC-T yesterday said it would attend this year’s independence celebrations.
MDC-T national spokesperson, Mr Nelson Chamisa – whose party has been conspicuous by its absence from national events of late – said MDC-T cherished, valued and honours all national events and occasions.
“For us those are platforms to build not destroy, to unite and not divide, most importantly it is an emphasis of our being in our diversity as a people.
“Zimbabweans have to work very hard to give meaning to our hard won independence as a people. Real change should be seen in people’s everyday life so that independence is honoured and celebrated and not cursed and condemned,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister, Prof Arthur Mutambara yesterday urged all Zimbabweans, mainly the youths to attend the event.

“The liberation struggle was a generational activity that was dominated by young people and the resultant liberation of Zimbabwe was a generational outcome whose major players were young people,” he said.
He said it was now incumbent upon the young generation today to emulate the sacrifices by the players in the struggle and use the same energy and spirit to build the country’s economy.
Zanu PF Manicaland provincial chairman, Cde Mike Madiro, said that they were for the event.
“We are ready to celebrate, farmers who benefited from the Government Indeginisation and Empowerment programmes have arranged lorries for transport,” said Cde Madiro.
Mashonaland West information officer, Cde Johane Kachikuli, said all was in order for the Independence Day celebrations.
“Its all systems go for the Independence Day celebrations,” he said, adding many artists would entertain people.
Governor and Resident Minister, Faber Chidarikire, would lead the proceedings.
Mashonaland Central Governor and Resident Minister, Advocate Martin Dinha said Bindura town and the entire province were so excited to celebrate this year’s Independence Day.
“We are so excited that this year’s celebrations will show our country’s detractors how much we value our sovereignty,” he said.
In Masvingo province, the event will be held at Mucheke Stadium and the Independence organising committee has raised US$2 000 in cash.
Several buffaloes and cattle have bee donated to feed thousands expected to attend.
Masvingo Governor and Resident Minister Titus Maluleke will grace the main celebrations at Mucheke Stadium.
In an interview with our Bulawayo bureau yesterday, representatives from Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South, and Midlands Provinces said that they would join hands in commemorating the national event.
The acting Bulawayo Provincial Administrator, Mrs Tsvagai Fikile Marovatsanga, said the Bulawayo celebrations would kick off with holding of the Governor’s Ball. Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Obert Mpofu would represent the Governor and Resident Minister for Bulawayo Province, Cde Cain Mathema, who is out of the country.
The Governor’s Ball is meant to raise funds to be donated to local charity organisations was held last night.
“We proceed to the White City Stadium (tomorrow) today where the main event will be held and we are expecting more than 10 000 people to come and join the rest of the country in celebrating this important day,” said Mrs Marovatsanga.
The climax of the celebrations will see Motor Action Football Club playing against Gunners Football Club for the third and fourth place in the Independence Trophy competition at the White City Stadium.
Matabeleland North Province will be holding their celebrations at Somhlolo Stadium in the provincial capital, Lupane.
The Governor for Matabeleland North, Sithokozile Mathuthu is expected to grace the event where she will deliver President Mugabe’s speech.
Governor’s ball in the province would be held at Edmund Davies Hall in Hwange at 7pm until midnight yesterday.
“I would like to encourage everyone, regardless of their political affiliation to come and have fun with the rest of us, simply because our forefathers fought for this country to liberate every one of us and that will never change,” said Governor Mathuthu.
Matabeleland South Governor, Angeline Masuku said Independence Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the country’s achievements.
“Everybody is excited and as I am talking right now, I am at the Pelandaba Stadium where the main function will be held.
“Independence Day gives us a chance to look back and take stock of the nation’s achievements. We have a lot of things to celebrate and I am happy that Zimbabwe is a country that is able to sustain itself despite the enormous challenges,” she said.
The Midlands province has reintroduced the Governor’s Ball last held in 2005.
Midlands provincial administrator, Ms Cecilia Chitiyo said; “We are very happy that as a province as we have managed to raise enough resources in terms of food and other necessary logistical materials that are needed for the hosting of a successful event. We have managed to raise US$6 500 cash, five beasts and about two tonnes of meal-meal. We also received vegetables that include onions andtomatoes that were donated by the farmers in and around Gweru.”