Source: All systems go for Uhuru Day at Maphisa – herald
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
Ahead of the country’s Uhuru Day celebrations on Saturday this week, Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe, says the province is now fully prepared to host the 46th National Independence celebrations at Maphisa Growth Point in Matobo district, with the local organising committee having achieved tangible milestones.
In an interview, Minister Nguluvhe highlighted a number of high-impact legacy projects spread across the province’s seven districts ahead of the Independence Day celebrations which will headlined by President Mnangagwa.
He said road construction had been accelerated to make the venue accessible from all parts of the province.
“We are ready to roll,” Minister Nguluvhe said.
“We have completed key projects, including 40 science laboratories, road construction and infrastructure development. Our focus is on showcasing the province’s potential and promoting national unity.”
He said the province had involved local communities, businesses and youth in the preparations, ensuring economic benefits and social upliftment. The event will feature cultural performances highlighting the province’s diverse heritage.
Minister Nguluvhe noted the significance of hosting the celebrations in Matabeleland South, saying it symbolises the Government’s commitment to inclusive development.
“The President’s mantra of not leaving anyone behind is real,” he said.
“I want to thank President Mnangagwa for his mantra of not leaving any place or anyone behind in national development matters. To us as Matabeleland South, we never expected that as a province we would be given an opportunity to host national Independence Day celebrations. True to his mantra, we were told we are hosting the celebrations this year. So, as a province, we sat down as leadership to decide on the venue and settled for Matobo district, the home of the late Father Zimbabwe, a nationalist and former Vice President.”
The Minister said legacy projects had been spread across the seven districts, namely; Gwanda, Beitbridge, Insiza, Umzingwane, Mangwe, Bulilima, and Matobo.
Key among the projects is the construction of 40 science laboratories to enhance the teaching of STEM subjects in local schools. These are currently at wall-plate stage and will be completed and equipped by the end of the year.
“Other projects include road construction – key among them the Bulawayo to Maphisa, Maphisa to Brunaburg, and Gwanda to Maphisa roads, which had been on the cards for years – as well as schools, internet connectivity, solarised borehole drilling in each of the 12 constituencies, civil registry offices construction in Filabusi (now 98 percent complete), and the 16 civil servants’ garden flats in Beitbridge, whose phase one is complete pending electrification,” said Minister Nguluvhe.
“We have managed to make the Gwanda to Maphisa road accessible, cutting travel distance for people from many districts to Maphisa. This project will be completed soon.
“You will also note that the Kezi hospital, which was outstanding, is almost complete. We have renovated Maphisa Hospital and expanded the aerodrome at Kezi to 1.5km to accommodate small planes.
“We have also worked on a school of nursing at Maphisa and the Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Vocational Training Centre, which will be ready by September.
“In addition, we are monumentalising the site where Commander Mpini was killed with his troops and some children, and we have already built a clinic in that area. In Beitbridge, there is an assembly point known as Juliet (Zezani) which has also been monumentalised, and the Independence Flame was lit by Vice President Chiwenga to mark the roadshow across the province to Maphisa.”
He said construction of a modern seater standard stadium at Maphisa with an improved drainage system, a new cultural village, and Mahetshe Primary and Secondary Schools is almost complete.
Minister Nguluvhe said the province had been assured by Vice President Mohadi that the roads would be completed by September.
In the lead-up to the celebrations, they have expanded internet connectivity after receiving 171 Starlink kits, which have been deployed across the province to clinics, traditional leaders (around Matobo), the police, the army, the President’s department, schools, and other key public institutions.
The Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services has also expanded radio and television reception signals in Matobo.
“So, I would say as a province, such projects would have taken years to complete because there are so many. In a nutshell, as a province, we are fully ready to host the nation at Maphisa,” said Minister Nguluvhe.
“My appeal is that everyone must come and experience the rainbow province, where we will have excellent displays at the cultural centre reflecting all the diverse cultures in the province.
“In terms of security and logistics — which are critical for such a high-profile event — the sub-national JOC is on the ground taking care of all security issues. Zimbabwe is a very peaceful country; we should not worry about that topic. The security cluster is taking care of it. Everyone will get to the venue without any hassle. People must come in their numbers.”
He said the community was excited to host the national event, which has brought infrastructure, business, and employment opportunities through the legacy projects.
Minister Nguluvhe stressed that beyond the celebrations themselves, all the legacy projects will remain after the national independence event at Maphisa.
“The stadium, science blocks, roads, and other key infrastructure will still be there, and that in itself leaves a legacy that will always remind future generations that this country is being developed without regard to where development is taking place,” he said.
“Working together with a non-governmental organisation, we are putting in a piped water scheme for 100 homesteads in Father Zimbabwe’s area, and at his homestead we are building a big house to be used as a museum.”
To succeed in hosting the national celebrations, he added, they learned from those who had walked the road before.
“We sat down to map the way forward, and we felt it was necessary to check with the immediate past host province, that is Midlands. So I engaged Minister Owen Mudha Ncube, who welcomed us with key heads of departments, and we got a thorough briefing that helped us to improve on their mistakes and amplify their successes.”
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