Online Reporter
Freedom Mupanedemo
Midlands Bureau
The Midlands Province is gearing to host Zimbabwe’s 45th Independence Day celebrations at the Mutora Grounds in Nembudziya, Gokwe North District, marking a significant shift from the traditional venues in Harare.
The move aligns with President Mnangagwa’s vision of inclusivity and decentralisation, encapsulated in his mantra, “leaving no one and no place behind.”
Last year, Manicaland Province broke the tradition by hosting the celebrations outside a city, and this year, Midlands takes the baton, with Mutora Grounds, deep in rural Gokwe, set to host the nation on the crucial day.
Preparations for this year’s celebrations have already spawned unprecedented development at Mutora’s Nembudziya Open Grounds.
The site’s rapid development, in preparation for the 45th Independence Day and the Uhuru Cup, exemplifies this year’s celebrations’ themed “Zim @ 45: Devolve and Develop Together Towards Vision 2030” ethos.
The convergence of national celebrations and infrastructural advancement are set to leave a lasting mark, with over 100 000 people participating in this historic moment.
Leading up to the main celebrations, the Children’s Party, hosted by the First Family is scheduled for April 17th at Nyamuroro High School, with the Independence Gala taking place at Nembudziya Government High School on the same night.
Over 3 000 child delegates will be accommodated at Nyamuroro High School from April 15 to 19.
Major infrastructure projects are progressing well at the principal event arena, the gala site, and the Children’s Party venue.
The Government has drilled over 120 boreholes across Gokwe North and South, including those at the event sites.
The celebrations will feature the lighting of the Independence Flame, the traditional Torch Relay, and a variety of cultural performances by dance troupes and artists from Kwekwe, Gokwe, and other districts.
Football enthusiasts can look forward to matches between Simba Bhora and FC Platinum at the main celebrations, while Herentals Queens and Black Rhinos will play at the Children’s Party.
The event is not just a celebration of independence, but also a tribute to the historical significance of the Midlands province in Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.
Key historical sites such as Mtapa Hall in Gweru, where the first Zanu congress was held in 1964, and the Wha-Wha and Sikombela Detention Centres, which held many nationalists during the war, are being highlighted.
These sites serve as touching reminders of the sacrifices made during the protracted struggle for freedom.
Preparations at Mutora Business Centre are in full swing, with contractors working around the clock to ensure the venue is ready for the anticipated 60 000 attendees.
The construction of a new stadium and changing rooms is part of the broader development initiatives transforming the area.
Additionally, the road infrastructure leading to Mutora is undergoing significant upgrades, which will provide lasting benefits to the local community.
Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Owen Ncube has assured the nation that everything is on track for the event.
He said donations from the business community have already started pouring in, further boosting the preparations.
The local residents are excited about the opportunities that hosting such a national event brings.
Jacob Mukaro, a Gokwe resident, expressed his enthusiasm for the dual celebration of independence and development, particularly the construction of a stadium that will enable professional football in the area.
The lack of tarred roads has been a longstanding issue for Gokwe North residents, and this year’s celebrations have spurred the construction of a tarred road, a much-needed improvement.
Robert Maguma, a grocery shop owner at Mutora Business Centre, shared the community’s anticipation, looking forward to the economic boost the event will bring.
This year’s Independence Day celebrations, themed “Zim@45: Devolve and Develop Together Towards Vision 2030,” underscore the government’s commitment to decentralization and development.
By hosting the event in the Midlands, the Government aims to not only commemorate the nation’s freedom but also to catalyse development in previously marginalized areas, ensuring that the benefits of independence are felt by all Zimbabweans.
In previous years, Harare has been the host of the national festivities, but under the Second Republic, President Mnangagwa has directed that the commemorations be rotated across the different provinces, aligning with his administration’s vision of leaving no one and no place behind. Rotating the celebrations ensures that all regions of the country benefit from the legacy projects associated with hosting the main event.
Engineer Akim Maravira, Director of the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, confidently said that key infrastructure projects are well beyond the halfway mark, guaranteeing the event.
“Everyone is busy here in Gokwe Nembudziya, where the 2025 Independence Day Celebrations will be held. We have accelerated our pace, and works are at 75 percent completion, with a target of April 10th for all works to be finalised,” he said.
