Decentralising Independence Day celebrations inspires Binga communities

Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter

THE decentralisation of the Independence Day celebrations by Matabeleland North Province has been described as a rejuvenating dynamic that has brought confidence, inspired young people and spurred economic development in previously marginalised communities. 

Matabeleland North Province took a deliberate stance to decentralise Independence Day celebrations, moving away from the traditional Somhlolo Stadium in Lupane, its provincial capital. 

Following President Mnangagwa’s instructive pronouncement that no city has a monopoly over national events, the nation hosted the National Independence Day celebrations in Bulawayo in 2022 and Mt Darwin in Mashonaland Central Province last year.

Continuing the trend, this year’s festivities were held in Murambinda, Buhera District in Manicaland Province and next year it will be in the Midlands Province.

In line with this approach, Matabeleland North Province has also decentralised its provincial celebrations, shifting last year’s event to Umguza District and this year’s to Binga District.

The development has been met with great appreciation by the local community leadership which has described it as a long overdue important shift. 

Chief Siansali of Binga District told Sunday News yesterday that for the past 44 years, they have felt marginalized. He said even if such a suggestion was to be made, they would benefit last as they were deemed to be too far.

“We celebrated 44 years of independence as a country. In these past years, we were, however, failing to celebrate or take the celebrations to the masses who are deep in the rural areas. In Binga, this rotation means a lot to us, it is a confirmation that we are now receiving things and we are considered first in decisions courtesy of the Second Republic.

“In the previous years, we would be the last and told that we were too far, I do not even know far from what or from who. This year’s celebrations were electric and you could even tell from the mood and attendance. As a district, the independence celebratory mood was slowly dying but the rotation has rejuvenated it. We are sure even in the next coming years, we will be able to be in that mood even if the celebrations are not in our district,” said Chief Siansali.

Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Richard Moyo also weighed in saying the celebrations in Binga left the young people inspired, it stimulated business and brought development to the area.

“People in the province are very happy with the rotation of the Independence Day celebrations. When the President spoke about decentralising national events like the Independence Day celebrations to other provinces we also adopted that as a province. We decentralised our provincial celebrations from the traditional Lupane District to Umguza last year and Binga District this year. 

“When we went to Umguza District, the people there were very happy and appreciated the development. Coming to Binga, it had been marginalised for a long time to the extent that some of the young people in the area had not seen uniformed forces marching and displaying various drills but they got the opportunity to see them. They were further inspired to also join the armed forces and other professions which graced the occasion,” said Minister Moyo.

He said the hosting of the event further brought business and development to the area as there was a hive of activity at Manjoro Business Centre where the celebrations were held and other shopping centres along the way as the whole province had travelled to Binga District. 

“You will also see that there is some significant development that takes place like the rehabilitation of roads, drilling of boreholes among other things done in preparation for the event,” said Minister Moyo. — @nyeve14