Harare, (New Ziana) – Preparations for the 2025 main independence celebrations and children’s party which the First Family hosts on the eve of the day have gathered momentum, as the country gears for the annual event on April 18.
The main celebrations will be held at Nembudziya Growth Point in Gokwe North district, the Midlands province, while the Children’s Party will be hosted by the First Family at Nyamuroro High School near the venue of the main event, on April 17.
Giving Cabinet meeting highlights to the media on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Jenfan Muswere said all is now set for the independence festivities.
“Contractors have accelerated works at the Main Arena, Gokwe North Open Grounds, and phenomenal progress has been achieved in lawn-planting, terracing, construction of changing rooms, floodlight installation, and construction of ablution blocks,” said Muswere.
“The venue of the Children’s Party, Nyamuroro High School, is undergoing vast transformation through the construction of two ablution blocks and two students’ hostels, both of which are almost complete. Regarding works at Nembudziya Government High School, the Gala Site, construction of one ablution block and 2 classroom blocks; a domestic science laboratory; and a senior science laboratory have reached wall plate
level, with roof installation being the next phase.”
Turning to legacy projects, the Minister said the government has adopted short and long-term plans for the Midlands province in general, and Gokwe districts in particular.
Long-term interventions include the ongoing rehabilitation of roads and related infrastructure under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP).
The short-term interventions include the re-gravelling and surfacing of major feeder roads to and from Nembudziya Growth Point with works expected to be completed before April 17.
“A cumulative total of 129 boreholes have been drilled in Gokwe districts, with 7 boreholes having been drilled at the venue site. A total water storage capacity of 60 000 litres has been set aside for potable water during the Celebrations,” he said.
Muswere said other health services mobilised for the celebrations, expected to attract about 60 000 people from the country’s 10 provinces, include 10 emergency health management teams, 10 ambulances, an air ambulance and emergency kits.
A mortuary is also under construction at the Nembudziya Hospital as part of the legacy projects preceding the hosting of the country’s 45th Independence celebrations
A VIP ward, isolation centre and 16 telemedicine centres have been established, while a ward at Nembudziya Hospital is being extended in addition to construction of the mortuary.
Muswere said the 2025 Independence Flame route will pass through various centres in Mberengwa, Gweru, Kwekwe, past the former Sikombela Detention Camp and Gokwe district until it reaches Nembudziya Growth Point. The Independence Flame is expected to reach Mutapa Hall in Gweru on April 10 to be lit by Vice President General (Rtd) Constantine Chiwenga.
It will proceed through all the Midlands districts until it reaches Sikombela former Restriction Camp on April 17 where it will be received by Vice President Colonel (Rtd) Kembo Mohadi before proceeding to its final destination at Nembudziya Growth Point.
“A total of one hundred and thirty-two (132) graves across heroes’ shrines in the Midlands province are being adorned with concrete slabs, while the construction of a field museum and a memorial plinth at the former Sikombela Restriction Camp will be completed prior to the 17th of April 2025,” said Muswere, adding that other places of the Liberation Struggle significance such as Connemara and Mutapa Hall have already been facelifted.
“A VaShangwe Cultural Village legacy project will be established at Nembudziya Growth Point for the 45th Independence Celebrations in Gokwe North District.”
Nembudziya Growth Point hosts this year’s rotational national independence celebrations after Murambinda Growth Point in Buhera district, Manicaland, last year and Mt Darwin in Mashonaland Central the previous year.
New Ziana
