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Cde Chombo

Zvamaida Murwira and Diana Nherera—
All is now set for the 35th Independence anniversary to be held tomorrow with the First Family expected to host the traditional children’s party at the City Sports Centre today. Children drawn from all provinces in the country are expected to attend the Independence Day children’s party. Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration, Dr Ignatius Chombo, said preparations had gone well with President Mugabe expected to address both the children’s party and Independence commemoration.

Child president Ntandoyenkosi Moyo, child parliamentarians and pupils from different schools in the country will attend the party.

Dr Chombo urged Zimbabweans to come early in their numbers on Independence Day tomorrow at the National Sports Stadium, where the country’s main event will be.

The celebrations will run under the Theme: Zimbabwe@35: Consolidating Unity, Peace and Sovereignty.

Provincial Affairs Ministers, senior Government officials and Zanu-PF provincial executive members were yesterday upbeat about the event, saying all logistics were now in place.

Zanu-PF Harare province political commissar, Cde Shadreck Mashayamombe, said people in the capital were the biggest beneficiaries of independence because they had better amenities and infrastructure hence the need to mobilise a full house for the event.

“We have made preparations that are consistent with a province that will host the main event to be addressed by President Mugabe. As the provincial commissariat department, we have invited not only people in our party structures, but everyone, churches and other groupings,” said Cde Mashayamombe.

Zanu-PF Matabeleland North provincial chairman, Cde Richard Moyo, said preparations for the Independence Day were now at an advanced stage and celebrations were expected to take place at Somhlolo Stadium in Lupane.

In Masvingo the fundraising committee had exceeded the $8 000 target set to fund the main provincial festivities at Mucheke Stadium.

Masvingo Provincial Administrator Mr Felix Chikovo said all the districts were geared up for the celebrations. “Everything is now ready, our teams across the province have already informed us that everything is now in place for the district independence celebrations that will be held in the seven districts,” he said.

Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs Minister Joel Biggie Matiza said he was excited by the preparations.

“We are ready now. We have lined up several activities that include soccer and music.

“There will be celebrations in each district while the main one will be in Marondera,” said Minister Matiza.

In Matabeleland South provincial administrator Mr Mildard Khumalo said preparations had gathered momentum. He said the stage was set for the provincial celebrations at Pelandaba Stadium in Gwanda, while more celebrations would be held at various centres in all the seven administrative districts.

Mr Khumalo said they would hold an independence ball at Gwanda Country Club tonight, where they seek to raise $1 000 to be channelled towards disadvantaged members of the community, including widows, orphans and the disabled. Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Jaison Machaya said the independence celebrations in the province would be eventful.

“We have just received reports from our organising committee and they gave a clean bill of health on our preparations. Celebrations will be at ward, district and provincial level. Our main event for the province will of course be at Mkoba Stadium,” said Minister Machaya.

In Mashonaland West province the main celebrations to mark the country’s Independence are expected to take place at Chemagamba Stadium in Chinhoyi and would be graced by Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Faber Chidarikire.

Zanu-PF Mashonalanad West provincial chairman, Cde Ziyambi Ziyambi, said they had co-ordinated all districts to commemorate the event. “We have been making preparations at district, ward and village level. We have mobilised people at districts so that they have descent celebrations,” said Cde Ziyambi, who is also Home Affairs Deputy Minister.

Zanu-PF Mashonaland Central provincial chairperson Cde Dickson Mafios said their preparations were at an advanced stage.

Cde Mafios said all the eight districts would hold separate celebrations after mobilising financial resources for the event.

“All logistics are in place.

“We also have a charity ball on Friday at Bindura University to allow civil servants and politicians who will have work commitments on the day in question to be part of the event.

“They will attend together with their spouses and interact with others,” said Cde Mafios.