Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka
Zimpapers Politics Hub
WHEN the dust finally settled over the plains of Matobo District this past weekend, it left behind more than just the echoes of celebratory song and the tracks of thousands of vehicles.
The 46th Independence Day celebrations, held in the historic business centre of Maphisa, Matabeleland South, marked a significant pivot in Zimbabwe’s political and developmental trajectory.
Attended by a record-breaking crowd estimated at over 50 000 people, the event was a vivid tapestry of peace, solidarity and the practical manifestation of President Mnangagwa’s “leaving no one and no place behind” philosophy.
For Matabeleland South, a province often historically viewed as a peripheral player in the national discourse, Saturday was a day of central importance, proving that the Second Republic’s decentralisation agenda is no longer a mere slogan, but a lived reality.
The sheer scale of the turnout in Maphisa — traditionally a quiet hub — surprised even seasoned political analysts.
The influx of over 50 000 citizens from across the country’s 10 provinces into Matobo District served as a powerful rebuttal to narratives of national fragmentation.
People did not just attend a ceremony; they occupied a shared space of national identity.
The atmosphere was defined by an unmistakable sense of peace. In a world where political gatherings are often marred by tension, the Maphisa celebrations were a sanctuary of order and mutual respect.
This environment of tranquillity allowed the core message of the day — unity — to resonate clearly.
The solidarity shown by the various ethnic and political groups present underscored a maturing democracy, where the sanctity of the liberation struggle remains a unifying anchor.
Echoing the sentiment of the masses, the Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Albert Nguluvhe, described the hosting of the event as a “practical demonstration” of inclusive governance.
For Minister Nguluvhe, the success of the 46th Uhuru celebrations was the result of a deliberate presidential directive to bring the seat of power to the doorsteps of the marginalised.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank His Excellency, President Mnangagwa, for his mantra that no one and no place will be left behind,” Minister Nguluvhe said during a post-event briefing.
“Indeed, here in Matabeleland South province, we have not been left behind.
“We sat down as a leadership team, including the business community and traditional leaders, to ensure this was not just a Maphisa event, but a provincial victory.”
The minister highlighted that the event’s success was anchored on a “unity of purpose”.
The logistical feat of feeding and transporting such a vast number of people was achieved through a unique public-private partnership.
Local farmers and businesspeople donated over 42 beasts, along with tonnes of vegetables and groceries, proving that when a community takes ownership of a national programme, the results are peerless.
One of the most poignant moments of the celebrations was the deeply symbolic gesture by President Mnangagwa and First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa to honour the late Vice President and national icon, Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo, and his wife, Mama Mafuyana.
By planting trees in their honour at the historic Maphisa site, the First Family bridged the gap between the liberation generation and the contemporary era of development.
The act was more than a protocol requirement; it was a reaffirmation of the “Unity Accord” spirit.
Dr Nkomo, affectionately known as Father Zimbabwe, would have undoubtedly seen the gathering of 50 000 united Zimbabweans as the fulfilment of his lifelong dream for a “Rainbow Nation”.
The First Lady’s involvement also added a layer of maternal care to the celebrations.
The hallmark of the Second Republic’s approach to national events is the refusal to leave behind “white elephants”.
In Maphisa, the independence celebrations acted as a catalyst for rapid-response infrastructure development.
The legacy projects left behind are set to permanently alter the socio-economic face of the Matobo District.
Key among these developments was the construction of a stadium. Previously, the district lacked a facility capable of hosting major sporting or national events.
Today, Maphisa boasts a venue that will serve as a hub for talent identification and community gathering for decades to come.
Furthermore, the rehabilitation of major roads leading into and out of Maphisa has already begun to lower the cost of doing business for local transporters and traders.
Minister Nguluvhe also pointed to the restoration of the Ratanyana Shrines, a move that preserves the province’s spiritual and cultural heritage while boosting its potential as a religious and cultural tourism destination.
In the education sector, the legacy is even more profound.
The establishment of 40 science laboratories across the province’s districts is a direct investment in the “Education 5.0” model, ensuring that a child in rural Matobo has the same access to scientific tools as a child in Harare.
This was bolstered by a massive leap in ICT connectivity, with over 100 000 Starlink kits and enhanced network infrastructure being rolled out to ensure that Matabeleland South is digitally integrated into the global economy.
The private sector in Matabeleland South emerged as a hero of the Uhuru story.
Legislators, traditional leaders and entrepreneurs worked in a seamless hierarchy to support the Government’s efforts.
This synergy provided a blueprint for how provincial economies can be stimulated by national events.
“What I discovered is that unity is the key,” Minister Nguluvhe remarked.
“My appeal to the people of Zimbabwe is that when you are divided, you cannot achieve much, but when you are united, you can accomplish anything.”
The economic “Uhuru” experienced in Maphisa was not just about the one-day windfall for local shops and vendors.
It was about the long-term investment in the province’s capacity.
The science labs, the roads, and the ICT hubs are the tools that will empower the next generation of entrepreneurs in Matabeleland South to contribute to the national GDP.
The Maphisa independence celebrations served as a litmus test for the country’s readiness to move toward Vision 2030.
If the goal of Vision 2030 is to create an upper-middle-income society, then the infrastructure and the spirit of unity seen in Matobo are the necessary prerequisites.
President Mnangagwa’s speech in Maphisa was a clarion call for continued peace.
He emphasised that the development being witnessed — be it the Gwayi-Shangani Dam or the Maphisa Stadium — is for all Zimbabweans, regardless of political affiliation or geographic location.
The 50 000 people who trekked to Maphisa did not just witness a parade; they witnessed the birth of a new provincial standard.
The peace and solidarity displayed were a quiet but firm message to the world: Zimbabwe is moving beyond its past frictions and focusing on a future defined by shared prosperity.
As the crowds dispersed and the national flag continued to fly over the new Maphisa Stadium, the takeaway was clear.
Independence is no longer just a date on a calendar to be remembered; in the Second Republic, it is a tangible asset that leaves behind roads, schools, and a spirit of togetherness.
For the people of Matabeleland South, Saturday was the day the “mantra” of inclusion became a permanent monument in their backyard.
The successful hosting of the event has set a high bar for the next province to take the mantle, ensuring that the flame of independence continues to illuminate every corner of Zimbabwe, leaving no one and no place behind.
And in that message, perhaps, lies the most enduring legacy of all.
