Source: The Herald – Breaking news.
Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga steps forward to light the Independence Flame at Mutapa Community Hall in Gweru, signalling the official commencement of this year’s Independence celebrations, which will be held in Gokwe-Nembudziya next week 
Patrick Chitumba
VICE PRESIDENT Dr Constantino Chiwenga yesterday officially lit and handed over the Independence Flame to the Midlands Province, marking a significant milestone in the build-up to the 45th national Independence Day celebrations.
The symbolic ceremony took place at the historic Mtapa Hall in Gweru’s Mtapa suburb, drawing hundreds of people.
The Independence Flame will now tour districts across the province — including Mberengwa, Zvishavane, Shurugwi, Kwekwe and Gokwe — before arriving at Nembudziya Open Grounds for the main celebrations on April 18.
This year’s commemorations are being held under the theme: “Zim@45: Devolve and Develop Together Towards Vision 2030.”
VP Chiwenga was accompanied by senior Government officials, among them Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Kazembe Kazembe, Minister of Sports and Recreation Anselem Sanyatwe, Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Monica Mavunga and Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Owen Ncube.
In his keynote address, VP Chiwenga described the Independence Flame as a lasting symbol of Zimbabwe’s struggle, sacrifice, triumph and national spirit.
“We gather at this significant site — Mtapa Hall — the venue of the inaugural Zimbabwe African National Union (Zanu) Congress held from May 21 to 23, 1964,” he said.
“But let us not forget that the party had been formed earlier on 8 August 1963 in Highfields, at the home of the late Cde Enos Nkala, following the split from Zapu.”
VP Chiwenga emphasised that the formation of Zanu, followed by the later unification with Zapu under the Unity Accord of December 22, 1987, was instrumental in the country’s path towards development.
“It is only in unity that we uphold the idealism of a unitary state — one that embraces all people from the north, south, east, and west as one nation,” he said.
VP Chiwenga described the 1964 Zanu Congress as a pivotal moment in Zimbabwe’s history, the turning point where the decision to take up arms against colonial rule was made under the banner: “We are our own liberators through the barrel of the gun.”
The Congress elected key founding leaders of the liberation movement, including Cde Ndabaningi Sithole (President), Cde Leopold Takawira (Vice President), Cde Robert Mugabe (Secretary General), Cde Herbert Chitepo (National Chairman), Cde Enos Nkala (Treasurer), Cde Michael Mahwema (Organising Secretary) and Cde Edson Zvobgo (Deputy Secretary General), among others.
VP Chiwenga said these comrades played crucial roles in the liberation struggle.
“Today’s ceremony provides a rare opportunity to reflect on the significance of that Congress.
“We recall and celebrate the contributions of those who came before us, both the living and those resting in marked and unmarked graves in Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries, their sacrifices towards our liberation,” he said.
VP Chiwenga noted that among the delegates at the 1964 Congress was President Mnangagwa, then a young nationalist recently trained in China. Another one was Cde Shadreck Chipanga, a former CIO Director General, who had been released from Wha Wha Prison after being detained for civil disobedience and acts of sabotage.
“They later escaped for training in Ghana after Zanu was banned in September 1964,” he said.
The Vice President said the Congress helped shape the collective vision of the liberation movement, rekindling national resolve and a desire for self-determination.
“Change chiri chitsidzo chekudeurwa kwe ropa kuti nyika isununguke,” he said, highlighting the depth of commitment required for independence.
VP Chiwenga stressed that the 1964 Congress also laid the foundation for alliances with other African nationalist movements and international organisations, a vital step in gaining support for the liberation war.
“More importantly, it marked a turning point in Zanu’s relationship with colonial authorities, as the leadership adopted more radical and confrontational tactics,” he said.
Older Post
Zim, UAE launch Digital Skills programme
COMMENTS