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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
Preparations for this year’s Independence Day commemorations have progressed well with the main celebrations pencilled for Mucheke Stadium, amid high expectations that this year’s festivities will be bigger and better. Chairperson of the State Occasions Committee and Masvingo provincial administrator Mr Fungai Mbetsa yesterday said everything was going according to plan with donations trickling in. A target has been set to raise $10 000 for the main celebrations.

This year’s celebrations, he said, were going to be unique given that there was a new administration led by President Mnangagwa.

“We have started the preparations in earnest and a series of meetings have been held, starting the beginning of last month for the event,” said Mr Mbetsa.

He said the uniformed forces were already rehearsing for the big event.
“We are targeting to raise at least $10 000 towards the event and organisations who have pledged to give us donations have started to honour their pledges,” said Mr Mbetsa.

“We hold meetings almost after every two weeks to update each other as a special events committee and I can confidently say everything is on course.”

Mr Mbetsa said uniformed forces would be providing entertainment and have gone a gear up in polishing their act.
“This year’s celebrations will be unique in the sense that we have a new dispensation brought by the ascendancy of President Mnangagwa to the Presidency last November,” he said.

“We expect the event to be presided over by Masvingo Minister of State for Provisional Affairs Senator Josaya Hungwe who will read the Presidential speech.”

Zimbabwe gained its independence on April 18, 1980 from Britain following a protracted liberation struggle.