Nation Celebrates Uhuru

Thousands of people yesterday packed Mucheke Stadium as Masvingo Province joined the rest of the nation in celebrating 36 years of Independence at a colourful ceremony that was spiced up with various entertainment activities.

 While the main celebrations were held at Mucheke where Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Senator Shuvai Mahofa officiated, independence day festivities were also held in the seven administrative districts across the province where hundreds of people converged at the district centres that were presided over by district administrators.

In Masvingo City, proceedings to mark the important day started just after 8am with a parade comprising drum majorettes and uniformed forces marching from Chikato police station to Mucheke suburb -- an event that drew hundreds of curious onlookers.

Zanu-PF Politburo member and Psychomotor Activities in Education and Vocational Training Minister Josaya Hungwe inspected the parade comprised of detachments from the ZNA 4 Brigade, ZRP and Prisons and Correctional Services.

Nation Celebrates Uhuru

Minister Hungwe inspected the parade on behalf of Minister Mahofa, who was seated at the high table since she is not yet fully recovered after her recent hospitalisation.

Chinorumba High School pupils from Zaka recited the national pledge before Senator Mahofa read the President's speech.

This was after the capacity crowd was treated to entertainment by drills from the parade, which marched in quick and slow motion.

The celebrations continued later into the day with the crowd being entertained by displays from drum majorettes, ZNA army brass band and performances by indigenous churches.

The day wound up with the crowd watching a soccer match pitting zifa Eastern region Division One outfits, Masvingo United and Masvingo City football clubs.

The celebrations in Mucheke were attended by top Government and Zanu-PF officials in Masvingo among them Gutu Central legislator and Zanu-PF Chief Whip Cde Lovemore Matuke, former Masvingo Governor Cde Titus Maluleke and his wife Cde Ottilia Maluleke, Zanu-PF secretary for Youth Affairs Cde Pupurai Togarepi, Masvingo provincial administrator Mr Felix Chikovo, among others.

In Chinhoyi, thousands of people gathered at the Chinhoyi Stadium for the country's 36th Independence anniversary celebrations.

Mashonaland West Minister of State Cde Faber Chidarikire led proceedings with an inspection of a four detachment parade before reading President Mugabe's speech.

The crowd was entertained by Manyame Primary school traditional dance group with their Kore Kore inspired dances, Budiriro dance group from Kadoma.

Happymore Mushayavanhu recited a poem titled Rusununguko.

A football match pitting Zvimba and Chegutu districts teams played later in the afternoon.

Chinhoyi resident, Cde Betty Biri, said people should cherish the day which opened up opportunities for the black majority, adding that economic challenges are a passing phase.

The event was attended by Makonde Senator Cde Prisca Mupfumira, service chiefs including Zimbabwe National Army Two-Three Infantry Brigade Deputy Commander Zitterson Sabeka, base commander Field Air Force Base Group Captain Patrick Moyo, officer commanding police Mashonaland West Senior Assistant Commissioner Rangarirai Mushaurwa among others.

In Karoi, celebrations were held at Chikangwe Stadium where district administrator Mr Friend Ngirazi officiated.

Musician Gift Amuli entertained the large crowd.

Kariba witnessed one of its biggest crowds as people celebrated the Uhuru anniversary.

About 3 500 people thronged Dulibadzimu Stadium in Beitbridge to celebrate the country's 36 years of independence, with celebrations starting as early as 8:30am.

Drum majorettes, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Beitbridge town council police, among others, provided entertainment.

Apart from poetry recitation, traditional dance groups from local schools thrilled the crowd.

The Minister of State for National Security Kembo Mohadi officiated at the event.

People in Mashonaland Central province gathered at Chipadze Stadium in the provincial capital Bindura where provincial affairs Minister Advocate Martin Dinha read the President's speech.

Bindura Urban Chimurenga, Guruve Marimba band and the Gushungo Magamba Chimurenga choir set the stadium ablaze with their hilarious performances.

The celebrations were attended by senior officers from the army, police and the correctional services.

Bindura Mayor Innocent Zvigumbu and other senior Government officials also attended.

Celebrations were also held around the provincial district centres and were presided over by respective district administrators.

Bumber crowds turned up at venues in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces yesterday to mark the nation's 36th independence anniversary.

In Bulawayo, thousands of people from in and around the province gathered at the White City Stadium for celebrations.

The Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs, Cde Eunice Nomthandazo Moyo, inspected the guard of honour before reading the President's speech to an overflowing stadium.

The Zimbabwe National Army, Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services provided entertainment with a variety of displays related to their national duties.

In Gwanda, in Matabeleland South province, Phelandaba Stadium was packed to capacity as people from all walks of life thronged the venue.

By 8am, the stadium was packed.

The Minister of Rural Development, Promotion and Preservation of National Culture and Heritage, Cde Abednigo Ncube, was guest of honour.

In Matabeleland North, Somhlolo Stadium in Lupane, the commemorations started shortly after midday following the arrival of service chiefs and the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Cde Cain Mathema.

He then inspected the guard of honour mounted by members of the ZNA, ZPCS and the police before reading the President's speech.

At Mkoba Stadium in Gweru, by 10am the venue was already packed. Official proceedings began an hour later with the arrival of service chiefs.

Midlands Minister of State, Cde Jason Machaya inspected an Independence parade.

A flypast comprising three AFZ planes in diamond formation flew over the stadium during the drills, sending the crowd into delirium.

Cde Machaya later read the President's speech.

A Zimdancehall Independence clash of local artistes and a provincial independence football match pitting Premiership outfit Chapungu and Zifa Central Soccer League side Whawha entertained the gathering.