The Sunday News
Sunday News Reporters
BULAWAYO Province will on Wednesday join the whole country in celebrating Independence Day with a difference as the city has archived several milestones and rebranding under the new political dispensation.
The country celebrates 38 years of freedom attained in 1980. Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Cde Angeline Masuku said the city was among those that have benefited immensely from the new political dispensation led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa. It will be the first time the country celebrates independence since President Mnangagwa took over power after Operation Restore Legacy in November last year. The celebrations will be held at White City Stadium.
“Our biggest achievement as Bulawayo this Independence Day is that the National Railways of Zimbabwe was given a new lease of life after the President commissioned equipment, it has never been the case in the past years. We are happy that it is a now a ‘new’ feature in the city that will change the fortunes of the city and country,” she said.
Cde Masuku said the province has also seen a number of investors expressing interest in setting base in the city.
“We had a workshop where businesspeople and investors from South Africa came through and expressed keen interest on reviving industry looking into developmental projects that can be done from Beitbridge to Victoria Falls. We are looking forward to having good returns from this,” she said.
However, the Minister urged the people of Bulawayo to be patient in terms of bringing back Bulawayo’s lost glory.
“Things were ruined over decades and surely we cannot expect them to be back in shape in just four months so please bear with us as we bring the city and the country back to its feet,” she said.
Cde Masuku said Bulawayo now has a website and DVD which showcases what the city has to offer. Meanwhile, preparations for the Matabeleland South provincial Independence Day celebrations are also at an advanced stage. Government departments, sub-committees and stakeholders last week met at the Provincial Administrator’s offices in Gwanda to work on modalities of celebrating the day. The celebrations will be held at Pelandaba Stadium.
Gwanda District Administrator Mr Judge Dube said all was in place for the celebrations further urging all the sub-committees to work hand in hand to ensure the celebrations would be a success.
“As the hosts we have set our own strategy which will see a successful event for the province as has always been the case. I call upon my colleagues to assist in whatever way they have to ensure the Independence Day celebrations in Matabeleland South are a success. We will continue engaging with every committee,” said Mr Dube.
The Minister of Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs Cde Abednico Ncube urged the province to ensure that the province holds memorable celebrations. In Matabeleland North, the main celebrations will be held in Lupane.
The main celebrations will be held at the National Sports Stadium in Harare. Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs Minister Mirriam Chikukwa told our Harare Bureau that celebrations will be held under the theme: “Zimbabwe at 38: Socio-economic restoration and international re-engagement.”
She said the theme was representative of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision.
“Our President has been advancing re-engagement and development agenda because our country has been isolated for a long time. There is also his mantra that Zimbabwe is open for business, you cannot open for business if you don’t re-engage. On the 17th there will be the usual children’s party to be held at the City Sports Centre. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education will facilitate that one. The party is hosted by the First Family.”
