Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
MATABELELAND North provincial independence celebrations will this year be held in Nyamandlovu in Umguza District as part of decentralising the event.
The 43th independence commemorations are being hosted outside Lupane for the first time since 1980.
Last year, for first time in the history of the country, the national event was held outside the capital city, Harare when Bulawayo province hosted the national celebrations at Barbourfields Stadium.
Independence Day is significant as it serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that many freedom fighters made to liberate the country from British rule 43 years ago.
Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo said hosting the event outside the provincial capital is in line with the Second Republic’s thrust of devolution and decentralisation.
“We are rotating our districts and this year the event will be held in Umguza at Nyamandlovu Business Centre. We decided to follow in the footsteps of His Excellency President Mnangagwa and we had to start with Umguza and Binga will host next year’s provincial celebrations,” he said.
Minister Moyo said the province had already started preparing for the celebrations with a committee chaired by the Provincial Affairs and Devolution permanent secretary Mrs Sithandiwe Ncube holding meetings with stakeholders and Government officials.
The province has appealed for donations from well-wishers.
“A programme of events will be availed once preparations are concluded but the usual activities that characterise the celebrations such as drills and marches by members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and sports will be held,” said Minister Moyo.
Zimbabwe attained its independence in 1980, after a protracted liberation struggle. Independence brought many benefits to the black people who were deprived of means of production by successive settler governments. – @ncubeleon
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