Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
MATABELELAND South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Albert Nguluvhe yesterday toured legacy projects in Beitbridge as part of the province’s preparations to host Independence Day celebrations in Matobo District.
One of the key sites he visited was the Zezani Assembly Point, also known as Juliet Assembly Point, a historic location where ZIPRA and ZANLA forces gathered under the supervision of Commonwealth forces during the 1979 Lancaster House Conference.
The site, which is the only assembly point in the province and one of the 16 such centres countrywide, is also located at the old Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) campsite and is now being developed by the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ).
In addition, work on the monument, which will have an independence flame stand, flag-posts, a metal silhouette of a soldier carrying an AK47 as a sign of victory against colonialism, an interpretive house and an interpretive board, is under construction.
Work on the project will be completed in the first week of next month, ahead of the lighting of the Independence flame in the area by Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga on April 10.
After its lighting, the flame will, through the assistance of the NMMZ, be taken through all seven districts of Matabeleland South until it gets to Matobo District for the 46th Independence celebrations.
“This is a very critical point which was established during the ceasefire as we fought for our liberation from colonial rule,” said Minister Nguluve.
NMMZ curator, Mr Stanley Nyamagodo, said: “We are grateful for the support we are getting on the ground and we are confident that we will complete this project within our set time frame of April 5.”
