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Walter Nyamukondiwa
Mashonaland West Bureau
The decision by the Second Republic to decentralise Independence Day commemorations has energised communities hosting the provincial and district celebrations, traditional leaders and ordinary people in Mashonaland West Province have said.
The large crowds that thronged the celebrations at Chikangwe Stadium in Karoi, attest to the hunger that people in the area have for national events.
People in the district, including traditional leaders, have hailed Government for decentralising Independence Day celebrations from traditional centres.
Hurungwe District hosted this year’s provincial Uhuru commemorations, for the first time, away from the traditional Chinhoyi Stadium in Chinhoyi town.
Mrs Svinurai Tazara said it was an honour for the district to host the provincial celebrations as it afforded them an opportunity to experience the full repertoire of entertainment befitting large commemorations.
“We were used to hosting district celebrations which did not have what is on display today,” she said. “This is a good experience for the children.”
The bumper crowd was treated to music from Chinhoyi-based sungura musician Jonathan “Mr Chinhoyi” Stumu, drum majorette displays and horse displays.
They were also entertained by parade displays by the Zimbabwe National Army, Zimbabwe Republic Police and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services.
Chief Dandawa said the move to decentralise Uhuru commemorations brought Government closer to the people.
“The displays we are seeing today were a dream two years ago for a child in Chidamoyo, who could not travel to Chinhoyi for the celebrations,” said Chief Dandawa.
Chief Chundu said the gesture was true to President Mnangagwa’s inclusive drive where no one and no place is left behind.
In line with the decentralisation of national events, this year’s main independence celebrations were held in Mt Darwin, for the first time since 1980.
It was only the second time since independence that the celebrations were held outside Harare, after they were held in Bulawayo last year.
Villagers in Mt Darwin got the treat of a lifetime after hosting President Mnangagwa, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, Zanu PF Vice President and Second Secretary Kembo Mohadi, Defence and War Veteran Affairs Minister, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri and many other ministers and legislators.
In addition, Zimbabwe’s biggest football clubs, Dynamos and Highlanders, played in the Uhuru Cup in Mt Darwin, for the first time playing for the cup outside a town.
From 6pm last night to 6am today, there was a musical gala in which some of Zimbabwe’s big names such as Mark Ngwazi, Alick Macheso, Leonard Karikoga Zhakata, Sandra Ndebele, Selmor Mtukudzi, Dorcas Moyo, DT Bio Mudimba, Suluman Chimbetu, Chief Hwenje Shumba, DJ Fantan and Mathias Mhere were performing in Mt Darwin, giving some of the people in the district an opportunity to see their idols for the first time.
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