Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira
Senior Reporter
THE construction of infrastructure at the venue of the 46th main national Independence celebrations in Maphisa, Matabeleland South Province, is well on course and will be completed on time ahead of the commemorations on Saturday.
Speaking after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting in Harare, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said Cabinet adopted a report by Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe on preparations for the Independence, Children’s Party and legacy construction projects in Matabeleland South, on behalf of Vice President Dr Kembo Mohadi.
VP Mohadi chairs the Cabinet Committee on State Occasions and National Monuments.
President Mnangagwa will preside over the National Independence celebrations, which will be held under the theme, “Zim@46 – Unity and Development Towards Vision 2030.”
Said Dr Soda: “Preparations for the 2026 Independence Day Celebrations, the Children’s Party, and legacy infrastructure projects are well advanced, with most expected to be completed prior to the celebrations.
“Key construction activities at the main arena, the stadium and access roads are on schedule to be completed by April 15. The construction of major access roads, including Bulawayo-Maphisa and Gwanda-Maphisa is ongoing and targeted for completion by August 2026.”
Dr Soda said in the interim, measures would be taken to ensure those roads are trafficable and detours are closed in time for the event. Grading is being done.
“Repairs to storm-water drainage, grading and gravelling are underway on other major roads, including Maphisa-Mphoengs, Sun Yet Sen-Manama, and St Joseph-Sun Yet Sen, as part of ongoing maintenance works to improve access to the celebrations venue,” he said.
Dr Soda said the Children’s Party, to be held on the eve of Independence Day, will draw several thousand children.
The Children’s Party will be held on April 17 at Mahetshe Primary School, with 3 050 child delegates participating.
President Mnangagwa will host the event.
Dr Soda also said the Independence Torch relay will be presented on April 17 to VP Mohadi.
The Independence Torch relay started on April 10, with the Lighting of the Flame at Zezane Assembly Point in Matabeleland South , which was officiated by Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga.
The torch is being conveyed through districts in the province and will be received at Ratanyana Liberation Site on April 17 by VP Mohadi.
It will then proceed to Maphisa, where athletes will hand it over to His Excellency the President on Independence Day.
“Logistical arrangements, including transport, food, security, invitations and media are in place. Power supplies were established and several previously stalled projects have been completed, including the JMN Nkomo Polytechnic Home Economics Block at Gwanda Polytechnic, renovation of 34 Government properties, the Beitbridge Re-development Housing Project, the Insiza District Civil Registry and Kezi Rural Hospital rehabilitation,” Dr Soda said.
In addition, he said, youth training in digital skills was ongoing whilst housing for liberation war veterans is being prioritised.
As part of the preparations, Government has since put in place an emergency services plan to ensure seamless and incident-free commemorations.
The plan includes the deployment of six ambulances, five fire tenders, two helicopters, on-site first aid and designated emergency hospital wards.
