Online Reporter
Joseph Madzimure
Zimpapers Politics Hub
PREPARATIONS for the second Munhumutapa Day are well underway, with youths expected to gather in Harare for a sports tournament on Saturday ahead of the main event in Zvishavane in the Midlands Province on Monday.
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Preparations underway for Munhumutapa Day youth sports tournament
The sporting event will serve as a prelude to the main festivities, with participants travelling to Zvishavane for the main event on Monday next week.
The Zimbabwe National Sports Promotion for Economic Development (ZIMSPORTS4ED) is facilitating these activities, which are aimed at fighting drug and substance abuse among the youth as part of the Munhumutapa Day commemorations.
Speaking at a press conference in Harare yesterday, ZIMSPORTS4ED chairperson Cde Gabriel Togarepi confirmed that all is set for the upcoming sports tournament.
“A number of teams in disciplines across the country will be taking part,” said Cde Togarepi.
“The tournament is not only a celebration of President Mnangagwa’s birthday but also a recognition of the achievements made by the Second Republic.”
Zanu PF Harare Provincial Secretary for Administration Cde Nobert Jinjika said they have partnered with ZIMSPORTS4ED to ensure it will be a memorable event.
“As a province, we have availed a US$100 000 sponsorship package for the tournament. All participating teams will win prizes,” said Cde Jinjika.
“We want to celebrate President Mnangagwa’s birthday in style. The event will be held at Lord Malvern High School. We are calling upon Zimbabweans to come out in their numbers to witness sporting talents. There will be a talk on drug and substance abuse to the youth. This will help the youth to shun drugs.”
Harare Provincial Political Commissar Cde Voyage Dambuza said the party will use the opportunity to recruit new members at the event.
“We will be selling our cards to the youth. This is part of celebrating the legacy of President Mnangagwa,” said Cde Dambuza.
The Zanu PF National Youth League conceived Munhumutapa Day to be celebrated on September 15 every year, with the country’s 10 provinces hosting the event in rotation.
Last year’s celebrations were held in Masvingo.
The youth will use the day to celebrate the achievements made by the President so far, including the launch of the Youth Empowerment Scheme, which established a revolving fund, business units, farm mechanisation, and the heifer scheme across all of the country’s 10 provinces.
President Mnangagwa, who will be turning 83, will preside over the main festivities in Zvishavane on Monday, which are expected to draw over 30 000 people, mostly youths from all corners of Zimbabwe.
Munhumutapa Day seeks to honour President Mnangagwa for embodying the spirit of the great Munhumutapa rulers by shepherding Zimbabwe towards Vision 2030, building the country “brick upon brick” under his “Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo” mantra. The celebration aims to highlight significant achievements since 2017, including major infrastructure projects such as the Trabablas Interchange, the expansion of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, and the New Parliament Building.
By focusing on sports and community involvement, Munhumutapa Day also seeks to foster a healthier and more united nation.
