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Herald Reporters
This year’s 35th independence anniversary celebrations come at an opportune time when Zimbabweans have asserted their sovereignty and are in the final battle to control their economy, Zanu-PF secretary for the Commissariat Cde Saviour Kasukuwere said yesterday.

Speaking in an interview, Cde Kasukuwere said Zimbabwe had made great strides since attaining independence in 1980.

“So far so good, we have done well,” he said.

“We have overcome British imperialism, we have asserted our sovereignty, we have repossessed our land and we are now in the final battle to control our economy.”

Cde Kasukuwere said the independence celebrations strengthen Zimbabwe’s resolve to continue its fight for self determination.

“The celebrations come at the right time when we have asserted our sovereignty and this gives us the strength to continue the fight to control our resources and fulfil the aspirations of the majority,” he said.

Preparations for the celebrations are going on well in the provinces ahead of the celebrations next Saturday.

“Our preparations are at an advanced stage,” said Mashonaland Central Minister of Provincial Affairs Advocate Martin Dinha.

“There will be a Minister’s independence ball that will be held on 16th of April at Bindura University. We have prepared a seminar called “Chimurenga Seminar Series” that will be held at Shamva Country Club on the 17th of April.

Adv Dinha said the main provincial celebrations will be held at Chipadze Stadium.

Midlands Minister of Provincial Affairs Cde Jason Machaya said Independence Day preparations were going on smoothly.

“We have set a target to raise $20 000 and so far we have raised $10 000 for the celebrations,” he said. “We also have four cattle for the festivities and we urge everyone irrespective of their political affiliation to attend the celebrations.

“The main celebrations will be at Mkoba Stadium and there will be various displays by the Air Force of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe National Army and many other performances.”

Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Shuvai Mahofa said people would converge at Mucheke Stadium for the celebrations.

“We are still preparing for the event that will be held at Mucheke Stadium,” she said.

Matabeleland North Province Minister of State Cde Cain Mathema said the preparations were on track.

“The preparations are going on well and the provincial celebrations will be held in Lupane,” he said. Harare Province Minister of State Cde Miriam Chikukwa said the province, which will host the main celebrations, was at an advanced stage of preparing for Independence Day.

She urged people to come in their thousands for the event at the National Sports Stadium.

Mashonaland East Minister of State Cde Joel Biggie Matiza, Mashonaland West’s Cde Faber Chidarikire and Manicaland’s Cde Mandi Chimene said they would comment on Monday after being fully briefed by various committees spearheading the preparations.

Minister of State for Bulawayo province Eunice Sandi Moyo and her Matabeleland South counterpart Abednico Ncube could not be reached for comment.