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Zim celebrates Independence Day

19 Apr, 2015 - 00:04 0 Views
Zim celebrates Independence Day Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Bulawayo Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo (second from left) inspects a guard of honour during independence celebrations at White City Stadium yesterday

The Sunday News

Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Bulawayo Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo (second from left) inspects a guard of honour during independence celebrations at White City Stadium yesterday

Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Bulawayo Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo (second from left) inspects a guard of honour during independence celebrations at White City Stadium yesterday

THOUSANDS of Zimbabweans yesterday thronged various centres countrywide to mark the 35th Independence Day celebrations, with the main event being held at the National Sports Stadium in Harare where President Mugabe was guest of honour.
This year’s independence celebrations were held under the theme: “Zimbabwe @35: Consolidating Unity, Peace and Economic Sovereignty”.

In Bulawayo, White City Stadium in Pelandaba was filled to capacity with many stuck outside due to limited space. Despite the slight drizzle and cold weather, people came in their numbers for the celebrations.

Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs for Bulawayo, read the President’s speech.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police also took advantage of the gathering to encourage parents to play a leading role in their children’s lives so that they identify signs of abuse in young children.

They said abuse, especially rape, was going unnoticed as parents were not taking time to be with their children.
Provincial youth chairman Cde Khumbulani Mpofu said youths should safeguard the gains of the revolution and protect their legacy.

“It is important that youths safeguard the gains of the revolution and take pride in such national events. As youth, we have benefited a lot from the attainment of independence and we should continue from where others left,” he said.

Zanu-PF Poliburo member Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu told the Sunday News in an interview that attaining 35 years of independence was no joke and the people of Zimbabwe must take pride in those that sacrificed their lives for the nation to be free.

At Somhlolo Stadium in Lupane, Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Cain Matema led the celebrations, reading the President’s speech.

The celebrations were also attended by Matabeleland North provincial administrator Ms Latiso Dlamini, Zanu-PF Matabeleland North provincial chairperson Cde Richard Moyo, Chief Mabhikwa and service chiefs.

In an interview on the sideline of the festivities, Cde Moyo said with Zimbabwe celebrating 35 years of self-rule, there was a need for everyone to jealously guard this freedom.

“Today we are now free to do anything. We are free to attain education, run businesses, we have actually freed ourselves. What we should do now is to jealously guard this freedom,” Cde Moyo said.

The celebrations in Matabeleland North were also graced by officers and students from the Zimbabwe Staff College which included soldiers from China, Zambia, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Malawi and Tanzania.

Entertainment was provided by officers from the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe National Army, Zimbabwe Prison Services, and a band led by local musician Chase Skuza.

In Matabeleland South province the main celebrations were held at Phelandaba Stadium in Gwanda, where the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Abedinico Ncube led the proceedings, that were marked by an impressive turnout.

Cde Ncube read the President’s speech after inspecting the guard of honour which was mounted by four detachments from the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services (ZPCS) and the Zimbabwe Women’s Services.

Also present at the celebrations were service chiefs, provincial administrator for Matabeleland South Mr Midard Khumalo, mayor of Gwanda town Councillor Knowledge Ndlovu and Zanu-PF Senator for Gwanda constituency Cde Alma Mkhwebu among other dignitaries.

Entertainment was provided by the uniformed forces, who were also complemented by drum majorettes from five primary schools in Gwanda and other entertainment groups drawn from different parts of the province.

A soccer match pitting ZRP Gwanda and Gwanda select ladies teams marked the end of proceedings in Matabeleland South province.

District independence celebrations were also held at Madlambuzi High School in Bulilima District where Zanu PF national party spokesperson Cde Simon Khaya Moyo urged Zimbabweans to remain united and resolute and defend the gains of the liberation struggle.

Cde Moyo,who is also the Minister of Economic Planning and Investment Promotion, read the President’s speech, interpreting it in his native language TjiKalanga, and drawing wild cheers from the crowd.

Cde Moyo said: “Stay united, no one should look down upon each other. We are children of God and fellow Zimbabweans too. As said by the President, we should remain united and foster peace and stability in the country; we should therefore celebrate our cultural diversity and show the entire world that we are united.”

On xenophobia, Cde Moyo said people should pray for peace as Zimbabwe and South Africa shared not only borders but also a common culture and liberation history. In attendance were Bulilima West and East Members of Parliament Cde Lungisani Nleya and Cde Mathius Sikhoza Ndlovu, Chief Madlambudzi, Chief Mphini and Chief Kandana all from Bulilima.

In the Midlands province, thousands of people from all walks of life braved the chilly Gweru weather and converged at Mkoba Stadium, some from as early as 8am for the country’s Uhuru celebrations.

Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Jason Machaya arrived at the celebrations venue around 10.40am and inspected a parade mounted by the armed forces.

He then proceeded to read the President’s speech at around 11.45am. There was entertainment galore which was provided by various schools in the Midlands capital, Midlands Chimurenga Choir and the Midlands State University Mbira ensemble, among other groups.

Among dignitaries in attendance were service chiefs who included Officer Commanding Police Midlands Province, Senior Assistant Commissioner Abigail Moyo, Zimbabwe National Army commander 5 brigade Brigadier-General Itai Justin Mujaji and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services officer commanding Midlands and Masvingo Region Senior Assistant Commissioner Celesina Mupfarinya.

Also in attendance was Commander Thornhill Airbase, Group Captain George Ngundu; Commandant Zimbabwe Military Academy, Colonel Phillip Kupe and Gweru Mayor Clr Hamutendi Kombayi.

A high turnout marked this year’s celebrations in Masvingo which were held at Mucheke Stadium, amid calls for the province to continue fostering peace and unity.

The provincial celebrations which started at around 9am were officiated by Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Senator Shuvai Mahofa who read President Robert Mugabe’s speech after inspecting a guard of honour mounted by the security forces comprising the Zimbabwe National Army, Zimbabwe Republic Police and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services.

Dignitaries and politicians from across different political persuasions spoke highly of the independence and urged all Zimbabweans to embrace the important day that marked the country’s self-rule.

Speaking on the sidelines of the celebrations punctuated by displays from Zion Christian Church and 4.1 Army Band, acting Zanu-PF provincial chairman Cde Paradzai Chakona said independence brought peace and unity among citizens through which a number of people in the province had benefited.

He said the province owed a number of achievements to independence, chief among them, empowerment through the land reform.

“We derive pride from our hard won independence in that most blacks are now masters of their destiny given that they benefited from the land reform. It is incumbent for the people in the province to embrace this Independence and keep fostering unity and peace that we are enjoying,” said Cde Chakona.

Masvingo Mayor and senior MDC-T member Councillor Hubert Fidze said he was equally happy to join others in celebrating the hard won independence which brought peace in Masvingo and the rest of the country.

He said he was elated at the kind of maturity shown by people in Masvingo who thronged the venue despite their political affiliation.

“Independence celebration is a national event that should be attended and enjoyed by every Zimbabwean whether one belongs to Zapu, Zanu-PF or MDC. As the custodian of Masvingo City, I am impressed with the crowd, it shows people here have come of age,” said Clr Fidze.

Provincial administrator Felix Chikovo said independence provided a convenient platform for the province’s development in a number of sectors of the economy.

He hailed people of Masvingo for heeding the call for unity of purpose demonstrated by the bumper crowd at the stadium.

Zanu-PF youth provincial secretary for legal affairs Cde Henry Chinovava urged youth to jealously guard the gains of independence given that they were the future of the nation.

In attendance were, Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development responsible for Cropping Cde Davis Marapira, former Governor and politburo member Cde Titus Maluleke, his wife Cde Otilia Muhlava Maluleke, 4.1 Infantry Brigade Commander Brigadier General Chancellor Diye, Masvingo province police Officer Commanding Assistant Commissioner Martha Mofolo, government departmental heads, ex-detainees, war veterans, collaborators and university representatives, among others.

Thousands of people braved the torrential rainfall which hit the Mashonaland Central region to attend the 35th independence celebrations held at Chipadze Stadium in Bindura yesterday.

Official proceedings had to start around midday as a result of a heavy downpour which escalated around mid-morning.

Mashonaland Central Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and guest of honour Advocate Martin Dinha read the President’s speech and also inspected the guard of honour mounted by the Zimbabwe National Army soldiers from the Artillery Brigade, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services (ZPCS) Mashonaland Region.

Advocate Dinha chronicled the success stories the nation had achieved in the socio, economic and political sectors.
The occasion was attended by senior Government officials, members of parliament and senior service chiefs in the province.

However, people started trickling into the stadium as early as 6am in the morning, despite the obvious rains, which however could not dampen the spirits of the determined patriots.

Hundreds of people braved the rains and came in their numbers at Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera.
Amid pomp and fanfare, members of the Zimbabwe National Army, the police and the Correctional Services went on a spirited display of their capabilities as they assured the nation of their commitment to national duty.

Cde Joel Biggie Matiza, the acting Zanu-PF Mashonaland East provincial chairperson, read President Mugabe’s speech.

In Manicaland thousands of people braved the chilly rainy weather to commemorate Independence Day at Sakubva Stadium.

As early as 8am, people had gathered in the stadium with an assortment of entertainment activities lined up for the day.

The Mozambican delegation led by the newly appointed Governor of Manica Province, Mr Alberto Ricardo Mondlane, were among top dignitaries that attended the celebrations.

The Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Cde Mandi Chimene read the Presidential speech which was well received by those in attendance.

Those interviewed said the celebrations were an important event on the calendar as 18 April 1980 signalled the birth of a liberated country.

Some said there was a need for Government to quickly address economic challenges facing the nation and ensure economic freedom which dovetails into the upliftment of living standards for the general populace.

In Chinhoyi, thousands of people braved intermittent showers and damp weather to attend the Uhuru commemorations at Nemakonde High School.

The commemorations were moved to Nemakonde High School as the traditional venue Chinhoyi Stadium is undergoing renovations.

Mashonaland West provincial affairs Minister Cde Faber Chidarikire inspected a four detachment parade before reading the President’s speech.

Drum majorettes, horse displays from the Army Mounted Regiments and foot drills provided entertainment.
The mounted regiment was showcasing for the first time at Independence celebrations. — Sunday News Reporters

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