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The Herald, 22 March, 1980

THE independence ceremony will be held at midnight on Thursday April 17 at Rufaro Stadium, Salisbury, and will be followed by public holidays on April 18 and 19.

The ceremony will be attended by as many as 1500 dignitaries and invited guests, probably including some heads of state, the secretary for the independence celebrations committee, Mr Paul Williams, said yesterday.

He said a “pretty good representation from the international community was expected.” Prince Charles would be present to represent the Queen, and the British Foreign Secretary, Lord Carrington, would also be here.

As replies to invitations had not yet been received, he was not able to name other dignitaries who would be present.

He said provision was being made for public attendance. Floodlights were being installed at Rufaro Stadium for the event.

As nothing similar was planned in other centres around the country, it was hoped to be able to televise the ceremony live, but this was yet to be decided by ZRBC.

On the Friday log raising ceremonies would be held in all the districts, following the form of the ceremony in Salisbury.

Mr Williams outlined the procedure for the ceremony:

At 11.30 on the night of Thursday April 17 the VIPs and invited guests would start arriving. At 11.45 Prince Charles, the Governor, Lord Soames, Lord Carrington, the President and the Prime Minister would arrive.

The ceremony would follow the traditional British format, and the British national anthems would be played when Prince Charles arrives with his mounted escort.

The Union Jack would then be lowered and the new Zimbabwe flag raised, followed either by a fanfare of trumpets or the Zimbabwe national anthem, if it had been chosen by then.

A 21-gun salute would precede the swearing-in of the President and Prime Minister, and a message from the Queen would then be read. Messages from the President and Prime Minister and the British Prime Minister would also be read.

 Choral singing, traditional dancing and a tattoo by massed bands would be followed by a parade and Royal Salute by five detachments representing the Army, Air Force, Police, ZIPRA and ZANLA.

Mr Williams said the entire ceremony would probably take about 35 minutes. Prince Charles’ itinerary was still awaited, but arrangements were being made for the Mayor of Salisbury Councillor Jack Whiting to greet him on the arrival.

The independence celebrations committee had concentrated its efforts on arranging the ceremony itself.

“We are aware that certain organisations have their own ideas on what they will do and we are not attempting to tell people what they should do nor do we intend to set up a programme for them to follow, but we are here if they need advice,” Mr Williams said.

Zanu (PF) would no doubt be planning various gatherings and rallies on the Friday and details would be available later.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

• The country’s first independence celebrations were a monumental event that required time for people to celebrate hence the organisers’ decision to grant a holiday of two days.

•  Independence celebrations remain one of the main holidays celebrated annually in the country. They unite all Zimbabweans since they are apolitical but for each and every citizen of Zimbabwe to reflect on how the country’s hard won independence came about.

• As the country’s 44th birthday beckons, Zimbabweans from all walks of life should cherish the unity and peace being enjoyed in the country. 

For the people of Buhera, Manicaland this year’s celebrations are particularly special as they will be held on their home turf as the Second Republic under the able leadership of President Mnangagwa ensures that key commemorations are decentralised, leaving no-one and no place behind.