Youth urged to defend independence values ahead of Maphisa celebrations

ZANU-PF Bulawayo provincial youth league chairperson Cde Freedom Murechu has called on young people to bridge the gap between the liberation struggle and modern day freedom by actively participating in national heritage events and embracing the values underpinning Zimbabwe’s hard won Independence.

Speaking during a pre- Independence celebration held in Nkulumane on Saturday, Cde Murechu, who is also the Member of Parliament for the constituency, said the event was aimed at “conscientising the youth” who often encounter the liberation struggle only through textbooks.

He challenged young people to take responsibility for safeguarding the country’s freedom by actively resisting any form of modern day imperialism that threatens national sovereignty.

“Young people should embrace the values of the liberation struggle, which dislodged the white regime and brought Independence in 1980,” Cde Murechu said.

He made the remarks as preparations for the 46th National Independence celebrations, scheduled for Maphisa Growth Point in Matobo District, Matabeleland South, continue to gather momentum.

To ensure wide youth participation, the Nkulumane event featured popular entertainment activities including car spinning and music, with Cde Murechu noting that the Youth League deliberately sought to “do what they love most” to draw large crowds.

“We are enjoying what we are enjoying — the music, the meat, all the spinning — because of those who fought to liberate this country. We pay homage to them,” he said.

Cde Murechu also used the gathering to mobilise Bulawayo youths to attend the main national celebrations on April 18, while reminding those unable to travel that provincial commemorations will be held at White City Stadium.

“I want to mobilise the youth to say, let’s go there in our numbers and listen to our President speaking,” he said.
This year’s Independence celebrations will run under the theme “Zim@46 — Unity and Development Towards Vision 2030”, which aligns with the Government’s agenda to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy through inclusive growth and infrastructure development.

Highlighting achievements of the Second Republic under President Mnangagwa, Cde Murechu pointed to increased youth participation in leadership and governance structures.

He said young people are now actively contributing to national development through initiatives such as the Youth Empowerment Bank, access to 10-hectare farming plots, livestock schemes and the Munhumutapa Youth Housing Projects.

“Government has made several appointments of young people in leadership and decision making positions such as Government ministries and departments as a demonstration of its commitment to youth empowerment. In terms of corridors of power, we are almost everywhere,” he said.

Turning to his role as Nkulumane legislator, Cde Murechu officially handed over nine solarised boreholes to the community, part of an 18-borehole allocation from President Mnangagwa aimed at alleviating water shortages in the area.

“I was very clear that I was selling an idea of community-led development,” he said, adding that the early handover allows residents to take ownership of the projects and establish water committees to prevent vandalism.
Cde Murechu also pledged to complete outstanding Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects initiated by his predecessor, the late Mr Desire Moyo.

“As a builder, I don’t destroy the whole building. I just take that building upwards and make sure that I finish it. These are not MP’s projects, they are community projects,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Independence spirit is gaining momentum across the province as the symbolic Independence Flame continues its roadshow through Matabeleland South.

A revered symbol of unity and sovereignty, the flame’s journey is expected to culminate at Maphisa Stadium on Saturday.

The main celebrations will then follow, during which President Mnangagwa will light the Eternal Flame. The equipment used for the flame will be transported back to Harare on Sunday, April 19.

Hosting the national celebrations in Matabeleland South has triggered significant local development through various legacy projects, in line with the Second Republic’s decentralisation policy and the principle of leaving no one and no place behind.

Under this approach, the Government has moved away from hosting major national events exclusively in Harare and is rotating them across provinces to stimulate infrastructure development and economic opportunities nationwide.

In Matabeleland South, this has resulted in tangible progress, including rehabilitation of major roads, upgrading of health facilities such as Kezi and Maphisa hospitals, and construction of a main stadium and modern education blocks, ensuring lasting benefits for local communities beyond the celebrations.

The anniversary will be marked by a diverse cultural programme featuring music and dance genres such as sungura, gospel, dancehall, afro fusion and hip-hop, catering for all generations.