adminTinomuda Chakanyuka Sunday News Reporter
SOME provinces have started preparations for the 36th Independence Day commemorations to be held in two weeks’ time, with calls for the public to turn out in their numbers for the event. Senior Government officials interviewed on Friday said preparations in Bulawayo, Midlands, Matabeleland North and South have gathered pace although some provinces will not hold the traditional Governor’s Ball this year as part of fundraising for the celebrations. Zimbabwe celebrates 36 years after attaining independence on 18 April 1980.
Bulawayo provincial administrator Mrs Khonzani Ncube said the province was geared to hold memorable Uhuru celebrations this year. “Our preparations are on course. We activated the subcommittees at the beginning of February and since then we have been holding preparatory meetings,” she said.
Mrs Ncube said the Minister’s Ball would be held at the Large City Hall on the eve of the Independence day celebrations.
“Right now we are in the process of fundraising and on 17 April we will host the Minister’s ball as part of our fundraising efforts. The tickets for the ball will be sold beginning Monday (tomorrow),” she said.
The celebrations will be held at the traditional venue, White City Stadium.
Midlands Minister for Provincial Affairs Cde Jason Machaya said preparations were underway and appealed to corporates and members of the public to donate in cash or kind towards the celebrations.
“Things are moving according to plan at district and provincial levels. All the committees are in place and on Monday we will have a meeting to update each other on what has been covered so far. We have already started receiving pledges and we are appealing to members of the public and companies to come forward with more pledges and donations,” he said.
Cde Machaya ruled out hosting the Minister’s Ball this year.
“If the economy allowed we would hold the ball. As things stand it may actually be more expensive for us to do that. We will only invite donations from companies and individuals,” he said.
The Midlands provincial independence celebrations will be held at the traditional venue Mkoba Stadium in Gweru.
In Matabeleland North, the organising committee has already laid the ground work for the celebrations that will be held at Somhlolo Stadium in Lupane. Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Cain Mathema said the province was geared to host the most colourful Uhuru celebrations.
He urged residents and companies in the province to hoist the national flag on their houses and premises in celebration of the country’s freedom.
“We are asking every shop, household and company to hoist the national flag on their premises to show pride in their country. We are planning a very colourful commemoration and preparations for the event are going on well. We are inviting donations in cash or kind towards the event. We are confident that the business community in the province will support us this year as they have always done in previous years,” he said.
Cde Mathema also ruled out hosting a Minister’s Ball in the province.
In Matabeleland South province preparations have started albeit on a slow note as the province is still seized with hosting the ninth edition of the National Paralympics Games which end on Saturday. Matabeleland South provincial administrator Mr Midard Khumalo, however, expressed confidence that the province will host successful Uhuru celebrations. He said committees to steer the preparations for the celebrations were already in place and the preparations will gather pace once the Paralympic games are over.
“Not much has been done because of the games. But in terms of setting up committees to drive the preparations we have already done that. Initial preparations are going on well and we will have a meeting on Thursday to get reports from all the districts. Once we are done with the games, we will go into overdrive with preparations for the Independence celebrations. We urge people to come in their numbers for the commemorations,” he said.
Mr Khumalo said it was unlikely that the province will host a Ministers’ Ball as part of fundraising activity but called on corporates and individuals to support the celebrations in cash or kind. The Matabeleland South provincial celebrations will be held at Phelandaba Stadium in Gwanda.
Bongani Ndlovu