adminAuxilia Katongomara Chronicle Reporter
PREPARATIONS for the country’s 35th Independence Day celebrations have started in Bulawayo, Matabeleland South and Matabeleland North provinces with the organising committees already gearing for the big day. The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Bulawayo, Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo, said they would involve all communities in this year’s celebrations.
“We’re already working on modalities of this year’s independence celebrations. We feel that it’s important that this year takes a rainbow colour situation whereby all communities participate. My observation is that we’ve been leaving out some social groupings and sections of the Bulawayo community. We want to accommodate everyone, whether Nigerian, Greek, Indian or Italian,” said Cde Moyo.
“I’ve told the organising committee that everyone must be embraced and be part of this important celebration.”
Cde Moyo said she had tasked the local organising committee to ensure the inclusion of everyone and warned members of the public to be on the look out for bogus committee members.
“Previously funds raised for independence celebrations have been abused because of bogus people who masquerade as committee members and solicit for money from unsuspecting donors. We want to protect our donors and make sure that all the money donated is spent on the celebrations,” she said.
The minister said they have started communicating with donors and Bulawayo hopes to have the best celebrations in the country.
Bulawayo provincial administrator, Khonzani Ncube said the organising committee was already preparing for the fundraising launch and the Provincial Minister’s Ball.
“The fundraising launch will be held at St Patrick’s Hotel on March 25, 2015 while the Provincial Minister’s Ball will be at the Large City Hall on April 17, 2015. The tickets for the Minister’s Ball have been reduced from $50 last year to $25 per person and they’re already available. Corporates will pay $250 for a table,” said Ncube.
Fundraising committee chairman Nyararai Sibanda said as Bulawayo province they had an estimated budget of $30,000.
The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs for Matabeleland North, Cde Cain Mathema, said they have also started preparing for the celebrations.
“We’ve already started preparing for the Independence day celebrations. Committees have been set up and our commemorations will be held at our provincial capital — Lupane,” said Cde Mathema.
He said the date for the Charity Ball as well the province’s budget for the big day would be announced soon.
Matabeleland South provincial administrator Midard Khumalo said they had started holding meetings in preparation for the day.
“All committees are in place. We’ve had four meetings and have also roped in Members of Parliament and councillors at local level to be part of the preparations,” said Khumalo.
The provincial celebrations will be held at Pelandaba Stadium.
“The Charity Ball will be held on the eve of Independence Day and tickets are already on sale. We’re appealing to the public to come and celebrate this very important day in the history of Zimbabwe,” said Khumalo.
He said tickets were being sold for $5 each.
Online Reporter