tawandamusarurwa
Kuda Bwititi
News Editor
ON Tuesday, Mrs Rufaro Madondo from Dotito, Mt Darwin, woke up before dawn to catch a lift and make the 26-kilometre journey from her village to Mt Darwin High School, the venue for this year’s national Independence Day celebrations.
For the 58-year-old peasant farmer, being an early bird at the grand occasion was worth the effort, as others were not so lucky.
Multitudes of people failed to gain entry to the venue, and they could be seen trooping back from the stadium, as thousands thronged Mt Darwin High School.
“I arrived around 5.20am. I was proud to be one of the first people at the venue and get a place to sit in front, where there was a good view of proceedings. I was told by my colleagues that they arrived after 11am and failed to get into the stadium. They had to wait for others to come out before they entered,” said Mrs Madondo.
The overflowing numbers were an unsurprising spectacle as history was made, when Mt Darwin became the first rural area to host national Independence Day celebrations.
President Mnangagwa, who was accompanied by First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, presided over the celebrations from the VVIP stand, with Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga and his wife, Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi-Chiwenga, also in attendance.
Virtually, the entire crop of Zimbabwe’s Cabinet Ministers was present, as were Members of Parliament from all over the country, service chiefs and senior Government officials.
Most senior ZANU PF members and other dignitaries were resplendent in party regalia or the national dress fabric, bringing glitz and glamour to the event.
Proudly speaking in her Korekore tone, Mrs Madondo said, after hosting the grand commemoration, Mt Darwin will never be the same.
“We are proud that, as Mt Darwin, we have become the first rural area in Zimbabwe to host national celebrations for this day. This means our town will never be the same because it has carved its name in history. I come from Dotito, where (former) VP Joice Mujuru comes from, and it was good to see her receiving warm greetings from the President.”
Mrs Loveness Chikosha, who travelled from Rwere village in Chiweshe, Mashonaland Central, said: “Today was a day to remember. I brought my entire family and we had a great time. The entertainment provided by the police, the army, drum majorettes and musicians was just top-notch. The food was plenty and the event was well-organised.”
Asked what her highlight was during the celebrations, she said President Mnangagwa’s speech was well-articulated.
“I listened very attentively when the President spoke about agriculture. I am a subsistence farmer in my village, rearing cattle and growing some horticultural crops. It was critical that the President encouraged us to move from subsistence farming to undertaking farming as a business. This is what we are trying to do so that we can grow our income as people from rural areas and live better lives.”
Mr Emmanuel Vheremu, a beneficiary of the Land Reform Programme in Matepatepa, Bindura, also said the President’s Independence Day speech had struck the right chords.
“I was particularly impressed when he said that Government is unwavering in its commitment to improve the quality of life of our people, no matter where they live. This was proven true by hosting this event in Mt Darwin. It shows that the President walks the talk in what he is doing.”
In his speech, President Mnangagwa dwelt extensively on agriculture, highlighting various Government programmes to de-risk and climate-proof agriculture for the benefit of ordinary people, as his message resonated with the people of Mt Darwin.
His Excellency also said the theme for this year’s celebrations “Zim@43: Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo/Ilizwe Lakhiwa Ngabanikazi Balo: Brick upon Brick” is “a clarion reminder to us all of the weighty responsibility we have to develop our motherland. None but ourselves have this onerous obligation”.
In an interview, Mashonaland Central Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Senator Monica Mavunga said the celebrations left an indelible mark in Mt Darwin, whilst also fortifying the area’s status as an epicentre of the liberation struggle.
“We would like to thank His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, for recognising our province and giving us this honour to host such a massive event. As you are aware, Mashonaland Central is the mother of the Second Chimurenga. We cannot talk of the liberation war without mentioning this province.
“Our ambition is to turn areas like Chibondo and Altena Farm into major tourist sites and hosting of the national Independence Day celebrations puts us in a position to accelerate this goal,” she said.
Traditionally, the main Uhuru celebrations were held in Harare, but President Mnangagwa’s administration made a landmark decision to rotate the event among provinces.
Last year, Bulawayo had the historic distinction of hosting the first main Independence Day celebrations outside the capital.
Online Reporter