Thousands celebrate 34 years of freedom

Chronicle Reporters
TENS of thousands of people from all walks of life yesterday thronged various centres in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces to celebrate 34 years of independence.White City Stadium in Bulawayo was adorned with 34 Zimbabwean flags signifying the country’s 34th birthday.  Thousands of people also waved miniature flags to celebrate Independence Day.

The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo was the guest of honour.

Zanu-PF Politburo members, Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, Cde Angeline Masuku and ruling party provincial chairman for Bulawayo, Professor Callistus Ndlovu and Zapu leader Dumiso Dabengwa and service chiefs were among the dignitaries who attended the celebrations.

Cde Moyo who inspected the guard of honour mounted by the Zimbabwe National Army, police, and the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS), read President Mugabe’s speech which was well received by the crowd.

The star attraction on the entertainment menu was provided by members of the correctional services, Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Zimbabwe National Army.  Their drills were a joy to watch.

In the true spirit of celebration, a number of dance and choral groups staged performances highlighting the importance of independence and national sovereignty. At around 2pm residents had lunch at the venue while VIPs were taken to a local hotel.

Prof Ndlovu thanked the people of Bulawayo for attending the celebrations in large numbers.

“This was one of the biggest attendances seen here as compared to previous celebrations and we do appreciate it. It means a great achievement to the people of Zimbabwe, though there is the need to reorient some people to understand the importance of celebrating Independence Day,” he said.

In Matabeleland North, thousands of people drawn from all the seven districts braved the scorching sun as they joined the whole nation in celebrating 34 years of independence at Somhlolo Stadium. The proceedings kicked off with slow and quick marches by a full detachment of Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe National Army and ZPCS before Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Ambassador Cain Mathema inspected the guard of honour.  He read the President’s Speech.

Entertainment was provided by pupils from different schools through poetry, dance and songs dedicated to the country’s independence.
In attendance were service chiefs like Police Officer Commanding Matabeleland North, Senior Assistant Commissioner Norman Sibanda, Assistant Commissioner George Denya from ZPCS, Colonel Maxen Dube from ZNA.  Zanu-PF provincial leaders also attended the celebration.

In Midlands Province, thousands of people from various districts massed in Mkoba Stadium in Gweru to celebrate Independence Day.
The occasion was made more special in that Zimbabweans were enjoying a rare double celebration in the form of Independence and Good Friday which marks the start of the Easter Holiday.  Good Friday, according to Christian tradition, symbolises the day when Jesus Christ was nailed on the Cross before he rose to life on the third day.

Midlands’ Minister of Provincial Affairs, Cde Jason Machaya arrived at around 10.35AM and inspected a parade mounted by the armed forces.

Cde Machaya read President Mugabe’s speech at about 11.55AM.

People were also entertained by the Midlands Chimurenga Choir whose songs and choreography resemble that of their more popular Harare-based counterparts, Mbare Chimurenga Choir. Church choirs from the Anglican and Methodist Youths, also gave the occasion a Christian flavour.  The entertainment cocktail also comprised a number of traditional dance groups and the Midlands State University Musicology Department’s Mbira Ensemble.

In Masvingo, a capacity crowd attended the Independence Day celebrations at Mucheke Stadium amid calls for unity of purpose.  The event started with a procession from Chikato Police Station to the stadium comprising all the security forces.

Guest of Honour, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Kudakwashe Bhasikiti read President Mugabe’s speech.

In an interview on the sidelines of the celebrations, Masvingo Zanu-PF provincial chairperson Cde Callisto Gwanetsa hailed the people of Masvingo for attending the important event on the country’s calendar and urged them to take advantage of the prevailing peace and get united.

He said one of the major achievements that the province had made thanks to the hard-won independence was the construction of Tokwe-Mukosi Dam, the country’s biggest inland water body.

“What I am seeing as one of the major fruits of independence in Masvingo is the construction of Tokwe-Mukosi Dam. This is a major investment through which we can see the fruits of independence. Before independence we could not come up with such a big investment and even Ian Smith himself failed to do it,” he said.

Former Masvingo Provincial Governor, Cde Titus Maluleke’s wife Ottilia Muhlava Maluleke attributed the introduction of quota system in Parliament to the attainment of independence.

She however, registered concern over men who disturbed women’s independence and peace through domestic violence and called on the judiciary to give perpetrators deterrent sentences.

Masvingo Mayor Councillor Hubert Fidze said independence should be celebrated by every citizen regardless of political persuasion.

“As mayor of the city I expected to see people from all walks of life thronging the stadium to celebrate with others. This is a national event where unity is expected to prevail. We should respect independence. There is peace in Masvingo because of independence. This is a special day in the history of Masvingo and I hope the freedom will cascade down to economic freedom,” said Clr Fidze.

In attendance were Politburo member and former Provincial Governor, Cde Titus Maluleke, 4 Infantry Brigade Commander Brigadier Chancellor Diye, Masvingo Officer Commanding Police Senior Assistant Commissioner Martha Mofolo, Provincial Education Director Fadzai Jirivengwa, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Chief Staff Officer for Midlands and Masvingo Region Chief Superintendent Simbarashe Moyo, among others.

In Beitbridge, scores of people gathered at Dulibadzimu Stadium yesterday.  Home Affairs Minister Cde Kembo Mohadi led the celebrations and read the President’s speech.

The celebrations started as early as 8am with residents from across the political divide burying their differences to attend them.  Those who attended the commemorations included Beitbridge Senator Cde Tambudzani Mohadi, businessmen, senior civil servants and Zanu-PF Matabeleland South vice-chairperson Cde Rabelani Choeni. In Bulilima District, villagers flocked Huwana Primary School for the district independence celebrations while Mangwe District celebrations took place at Bango Primary School.

Speaking during the celebrations, Bulilima East MP, Cde Mathias Siqhoza Ndlovu urged villagers to harvest their crops quickly to avoid losing them to animals.

Also present at the celebrations was MP for Bulilima West Lungisani Nleya, traditional leaders from the district, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises, Evelyn Ndlovu, departmental heads, Politburo members and service chiefs as well as community members.