Uhuru preparations will be done by April 10 

Source: Uhuru preparations will be done by April 10 | The Sunday Mail

DR EDGAR SEENZA

ZIMBABWEANS, especially communities in Gokwe, Midlands province, are gearing up for the main Independence Day celebrations that will be held in Nembudziya, Gokwe North, on April 18. Zimpapers Politics Hub Reporter KUDA BWITITI spoke to the Midlands Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, DR EDGAR SEENZA, on preparations and the significance of the historic gathering.

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Q: What were the key considerations behind selecting Gokwe as host for the main Independence Day celebrations?

A: In keeping with the mantra “leaving no place and no one behind”, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency, Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa, at the 2024 national Independence Day celebrations in Murambinda, proclaimed that the 2025 national Independence Day celebrations were to be held in Midlands province, in line with the Second Republic’s thrust of decentralising national events. A standard checklist was used, and Cabinet did the final selection.

Q: Please give us the latest update on logistical preparations for the Independence Day celebrations in Gokwe?

A: On this one, my response will unfold by giving highlights on the Children’s Party venue (Nyamuroro High School), preparations for the Independence Day celebrations at the main venue and at Nembudziya Government High School, where the Independence Gala will take place.

The Children’s Party will be held at Nyamuroro High School on the 17th of April. All works at Nyamuroro High School started and are at an advanced stage. Some of the projects, like the school business unit, were completed, including drilling and equipping of a borehole.

The construction of the main venue, which is the football pitch, was completed.

Terraces are under construction and nearing completion.

The changing rooms are now at roof level, whilst the toilets are being constructed.

We believe we will have enough toilets to cater to the tens of thousands of people who will attend the massive celebrations.

Q: When are you expecting all preparations to be completed?

A: We expect that by the 10th of April, all the necessary preparations will be complete.

Q: A lot of infrastructural development has taken place in Gokwe. Please give us details of all the work done so far.

A: In terms of borehole drilling, to date, 37 boreholes have been drilled and equipped by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority and the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA).

Also, 24 village business units were established and completed.

Another 33 are at varying stages of completion. Progress has also been made in providing accommodation for the guests. The Gokwe North Rural District Council is renovating 10 guest rooms (with en-suites) while also targeting completion of the construction of nine more guest rooms before Independence Day. A 29-room double-storey building is also undergoing renovations to provide accommodation for VIPs.

In addition, there are other already established lodges, namely the Snob and Mtora lodges, among others.

Providing accommodation will also be an opportunity for individuals with houses at the growth point and surrounding areas to provide a service to guests.

Q: What other works have been carried out?

A: The local authority is constructing water-borne ablution facilities at the council offices, which were at 90 percent completion at the last inspection.

The council is also constructing a water-borne public toilet at the Nembudziya Bus Terminus. In addition, 35 street solar lights have been erected at the growth point to enhance public safety. Feeder roads are also being graded and gravelled.

In terms of ICT (information and communication technology) infrastructure, three new base stations have been constructed to improve communication and access to the internet by the Gokwe North communities.

Upgrading and optimisation of existing base stations have been successfully completed by mobile telephone service providers. Potraz (Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe) has also given a facelift to the Nembudziya Community Information Centre.

In addition, 18 tele-clinics have been established in Gokwe North district.

Q: What progress has been made in improving the energy and power supply?

A: The Rural Electrification Fund (REF) completed the connection of the following schools and business centres to grid electricity: Chikarimatsito Primary School, Mashamba Way business centre, Copper Queen business centre, St Clarit Chiutsi Primary School, Chiutsi business centre and St Kizito Gumunyu Primary School.

REF aims to complete the massive Gandavaroyi solar mini-grid project before Independence Day. Furthermore, the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company is connecting Mtora low- and high-density suburbs at Nembudziya Growth Point to the grid.

They are targeting 1 400 units.

Q: We understand that massive developments have also been undertaken on roads in and around Gokwe. Please give us an update.

A: RIDA has graded and completed spot-gravelling for 355 kilometres. The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has deployed contractors, some of whom have already started works along key routes, namely the Kwekwe-Gokwe-Siabuwa road (pothole patching and resurfacing), Gokwe-Jahana-Tchoda road (grading and full gravelling), Alaska-Copper Queen road (gravelling and grading), Sanyati-Kuwirirana-Nemangwe road (pothole patching, gravelling and grading) and Kuwirirana-Nembudziya road (5km tarring and grading).

The ministry’s primary goal is to make all key roads trafficable in time for Independence Day, after which works are expected to continue up to surfacing or tarring.

Q: In terms of transport, how many buses will be made available to ferry people from the Midlands province?

A: The Government has allocated the province 150 buses to transport people from the eight administrative districts of the province.

Additionally, 54 buses and four minibuses have been sourced by the province.