dyton mupawaendaThe Herald, 4 April, 1980
SALISBURY will “sparkle” for the independence celebrations later this month, at a total cost of $50 000.
Welcome to Salisbury! The Sunshine City is the proposed theme for street decorations both in the city centre and all suburbs.
In the commercial centre, the First Street Mall, coloured Christmas lights are already reappearing and similar decorations will appear in Cecil Square and the Salisbury gardens.
The $50 000 budget approved at a special city council meeting yesterday afternoon includes work on redecorating the Town House in Kingsway and tidying up the municipality’s Rufaro Stadium where the Independence flag-raising ceremony will take place at midnight on April 17.
“We plan to use colourful bunting, flags and the Sunshine City welcoming motif in suburban shopping centres where possible,” the Mayor explained.
He said both ACCOR and ARnI were supporting the civic move to decorate the city and suburbs and shop-owners were expected to provide their own decorations for the independence week.
“Although everything is being done at short notice, we will be putting on a pretty good show,” Mr Whiting said. The Mayor is intensifying his Keep Your City Clean campaign in preparation for the celebrations.
He appealed yesterday to residents in the “higher density areas” to join in his campaign.
“In the run up to the Independence celebrations visitors from throughout the world will be observing our way of life and standards of living and it is imperative that we give them no cause for criticism,” he said.
He said when one considered that the area of Greater Salisbury was larger than that of Greater London, “it can be appreciated what a mammoth task confronts the municipal cleansing department”.
Lessons For Today
When hosting an important event, it is important to go all out and put your best foot forward. The 1980 Independence celebrations were well organised and they left a long-lasting impression on those who were fortunate to witness them.
Buhera district, in Manicaland province which is hosting this year’s independence celebrations, is undergoing a major facelift in preparation for the major event, which will forever change how the sprawling Murambinda growth point is viewed by the rest of the country.
It is also a first that a national event of this magnitude is hosted by a growth point. It goes to show how growth points can be used as focal points for rural development and transformation. This also dovetails with the 2024 theme: Unity, Peace and Development: Towards Vision 2030.
Independence celebrations are a national event that should be enjoyed by all regardless of their political affiliation, race or social standing.
Online Reporter