Source: Hive of activity in Gokwe ahead of celebrations | The Sunday Mail
Freedom Mupanedemo
Midlands Bureau
GLADYS SIYAMITI (38) throws a shovel full of cement mixture on top of a scaffold with relative ease.
She is so happy and determined.
Unperturbed by the extended working hours following the introduction of 24-hour working shifts at her newly found job as an assistant to contractors racing against time to put up structures at the venue of this year’s Independence Day celebrations at Mutora Business Centre in Gokwe North, Ms Siyamiti feels what is important to her is the reward that will come out of her daily toil.
The business centre has become a hive of activity, with infrastructure development and civil works taking shape ahead of Uhuru celebrations.
Ms Siyamiti is one of the many locals who have benefitted from the ongoing construction work.
“I am so happy that the Independence Day celebrations taking place here have opened opportunities for some of us who were just loitering at the business centre with nothing to do,” she said.
“It is a bit difficult for a woman to be in the construction industry, but I am coping and enjoying my job as an assistant here. I have since received my first wages and I am very happy.”
Shop owners are sprucing up their premises in anticipation of brisk business ahead.
“I have already beefed up my stock and we are looking forward to brisk business here at Mutora Business Centre.
‘‘We are already recording high sales as men and women who are doing preparatory works here frequent our shops,” said Mr Daniel Chauke, who owns a fast-food outlet at the centre.
Mrs Leonora Ndlovu, who owns a grocery shop, said she has also repainted her premises to improve their ambiance ahead of the celebrations.
“You know, when I saw new and modern structures being erected, I was motivated and decided to also repaint my shop so that at least it has an appeal to the visitors who will be coming to support our businesses here,” she said.
Local traditional leader Chief Chireya said he was happy with the projects that will benefit the area even after the national event.
“You know, we are very happy that the Second Republic decided to choose this area this time around. It’s one of the remote areas in Zimbabwe but these commemorations will leave something to smile about for us in terms of infrastructure development,” he said.
On Friday, an inter-ministerial delegation led by Vice President Kembo Mohadi visited the venue at the Mutora Business Centre in Gokwe North.
The delegation expressed satisfaction with the developments taking place ahead of the festivities.
“I have seen a lot of progress and I am sure by the time we hold the celebrations, everything will be in place. We need to keep the momentum developing our rural areas where we get most of our votes,” said VP Mohadi.
Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Owen Ncube said civil works and other preparatory projects were 70 percent complete.
“We are now 70 percent of the project.
“We have started disbursing necessary funds. We have introduced 24-hour working shifts so that we can be done by the time of the celebrations.”
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