marble nkomo
Thupeyo Muleya in Lusaka, Zambia,[email protected]
VICE-PRESIDENT Dr Kembo Mohadi has called for the preservation of Zimbabwe’s liberation war shrines across the Southern African region, saying safeguarding the sites and investing in legacy projects is key to honouring the sacrifices made by liberation heroes.
Dr Mohadi said the history of the country’s liberation struggle must be continuously told to future generations so that the sacrifices that led to independence are never forgotten.
In an interview in Lusaka, Zambia, ahead of his return home yesterday, the Vice President said this year’s Independence Day celebrations in Maphisa, Matobo District, hold special significance as they will be held in the home area of the late former Vice-President and nationalist icon Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo, widely revered as Father Zimbabwe.
The commemorations, Dr Mohadi said, will also be accompanied by a series of legacy development projects aimed at improving livelihoods in the area while preserving the memory of the liberation struggle.
“We are out there this year in Matobo District to celebrate our national Independence celebrations. We are doing this on a rotational basis. Last year we were in the Midlands in Nembudziya, Gokwe and this time we are holding the celebrations in Matabeleland South,” said Dr Mohadi.
“As the Second Republic, we rotate the venues for national Independence celebrations and this time it is significant that the celebrations will be held close to where Father Zimbabwe, Dr Nkomo, was born. So, we will have to do something about the place where he was born and we have come up with several legacy projects there in commemoration of his immense contribution to the liberation of Zimbabwe.”
The rotational hosting of Independence Day and the Children’s Party celebrations is part of the Second Republic’s policy to ensure that all provinces benefit from national events while promoting unity and inclusive development that leaves no one and no place behind.
In the past five years, the celebrations have been held in Harare (2021), Bulawayo (2022), Mashonaland Central (2023), Manicaland (2024) and Midlands (2025).
Preparations for the 46th Independence celebrations have already triggered major infrastructure development in Matabeleland South, particularly around Maphisa.
Key projects include the construction of 40 science laboratories across the province to strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, especially in rural schools that previously lacked adequate laboratory facilities.
Other projects include the rehabilitation of the Gwanda-Maphisa Road, a development expected to improve connectivity and stimulate economic activity in the area.
A stadium is also being constructed at Maphisa Open Grounds, which will host the main Independence celebrations.
At Mahetshe Primary School, which will host the Children’s Party, eight new classroom blocks and modern teachers’ cottages are being constructed, while two Early Childhood Development (ECD) classroom blocks and a computer laboratory will also be added. The school’s sports field is also being upgraded.
Mahetshe Secondary School, the venue for the Independence music gala, is undergoing extensive expansion works that include the construction of a 700-seater hall, an Advanced Level block, four additional classroom blocks, two science laboratories, a computer laboratory, an administration block and staff accommodation.
Government ministries, agencies and local authorities are also undertaking rehabilitation works on a 2 600km-road network across the province as part of the extensive Independence legacy programme.
Dr Mohadi, a liberation war veteran, also attended the Kavalamanja/Kakaro com memorations, an annual event jointly held by Zimbabwe and Zambia during the first week of March in Luangwa District, Lusaka Province.
The com memorations honour Zambian soldiers and civilians killed during the March 6, 1978 Battle of Kavalamanja, when Rhodesian forces launched attacks during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.
The Vice-President’s visit follows his tour of Zambia, Mozambique, Angola and Tanzania to assess the condition of liberation war shrines in those countries.
The tour was aimed at identifying areas that require restoration and preservation so that the sites continue to stand as enduring symbols of the region’s shared liberation history.
Online Reporter