The Sunday News
Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
THE Second Republic has been lauded for devolving national Independence Day celebrations across the country’s 10 provinces with commentators saying it concretised understanding of the liberation struggle and created a sense of belonging to all Zimbabweans.
Under the First Republic the main celebrations were held in Harare while the rest of the provinces were made to hold their celebrations concurrently with the national event in the capital but President Mnangagwa and his administration changed all that and offered all provinces an equal opportunity to enjoy the celebrations by hosting the main event.
Following the President’s declaration, Bulawayo Province was the first to benefit from the devolved celebrations when it hosted the 42nd Independence Day in 2022, marking the historic milestone that has become the hallmark of community development outside the capital. Last year the celebrations were hosted by Mashonaland Central’s Mount Darwin further buttressing the Second Republic’s thrust of devolution and decentralisation also promoting inclusiveness and mutual appreciation of other provinces.
President Mnangagwa made an instructive pronouncement that no city or place was going to have a monopoly over national events, setting the tone for the devolving of the national events across the country.
He said the objective of that stance was to ensure national focus was put in the district that would have been chosen to host the national event as top Government officials would be in attendance.
It is in that spirit that the 44th main Independence Day celebrations will be held at Murambinda B High School in Buhera, Manicaland Province with preparations already underway for the big event.
The Children’s Party will be held on 17 April at Murambinda A Primary School.
Political analyst and media academic Mr Methuseli Moyo said the alternating of the hosting of the Independence Day celebrations between provinces was long overdue.
“Well, let me say among provinces, the alternating of the hosting of the main Independence Day celebrations was long overdue. I think you remember, that it was a ritual that Independence Day celebrations would always be held in Harare, especially during the Cde Mugabe era, in a way that alienated the rest of the country from the event and ethos of independence.
“That is why some people were always complaining that it was as if Independence Day was for others and not for others, due to this centralisation,” said Mr Moyo.
Mr Moyo said the changes made when the Second Republic came into power in 2017 brought all Zimbabweans on board and various provinces await their turn to host the national event.
“But now, if you take the event to all corners of the country, it demonstrates that we all belong. We are all Zimbabweans; we are one nation. When things happen at a local level, people tend to reconnect and recollect, the background to the issues that led to Independence Day and also to the whole idea of being free, political freedom.
It is quite a commendable thing to do, it will also be welcome if areas on the periphery like Binga and Beitbridge one day be able to host this important event too,” added Mr Moyo.
Another social commentator Dr Luyanduhlobo Makwati said the Second Republic was making these important celebrations very inclusive, creating a sense of belonging.
The late Cde Robert Mugabe
“Decentralising independence celebrations is important because it builds national ethos embedded in what all liberation fighters stood for. Having celebrations cascading down from provinces to districts also allows the youth to appreciate that Independence Day celebrations are an important event for every citizen, which will remain in the calendar of the country for life. When it is celebrated on lower levels those who brought the Independence feel honoured hence they have the chance to inculcate the spirit of valuing the celebrations among the youth,” said Dr Makwati.
The Second Republic and its mantra of leaving no one and no place behind is evidenced through these celebrations and the emphasis on devolution also addresses regional inequalities that some communities were complaining about.
Mr Reginald Shoko, another social commentator said devolution equals empowerment of communities.
“Celebrating Independence should not just be centralised; it should be felt in every corner of our nation. The devolved celebrations are empowering communities to commemorate their freedom in unique ways that reflect their diversity and spirit. By spreading the festivities across the country, we honour the essence of our Independence and strengthen our unity. Let’s embrace this decentralised approach to celebrate our shared heritage, fostering a sense of pride and belonging in every heart and home. Together, let’s make every celebration a true reflection of our collective freedom,” said Mr Shoko.
Preparations for this year’s celebrations have gathered momentum with most of the infrastructure now in place. The Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Cde Joshua Sacco, toured the venue last week and said he was happy with progress at the main venue so far.
He said the Birchenough Bridge-Murambinda Road will be graded while repairs to potholes will also be done.
@NyembeziMu
