Staff Reporter
Next year’s Independence Day celebrations will be held at the Nembudziya Open Grounds in Gokwe North District, Midlands Province.
This decision was announced by the Minister of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services, Dr. Jenfan Muswere, during a media briefing after the 38th Cabinet session today.
Dr. Muswere revealed that the decision to host the national celebrations in Midlands Province follows an assessment visit by the Cabinet's technical team that visited several potential venues across Gokwe North, Gokwe South, and Mberengwa Districts before settling on Nembudziya Open Grounds as the main venue.
The site meets the requirement of an open space of at least 5 hectares to accommodate key Independence Day events, including the Children's Party and the Independence Musical Gala.
"The Nembudziya Open Grounds in Gokwe North District will host the 2025 National Independence Celebrations. Nyamuroro High School will be the venue for the Children’s Party, and Nembudziya High School Grounds will host the Independence Gala," said Dr. Muswere.
In addition to the main events, the Independence Torch rally will pass through places of historical significance in the Midlands Province, including Mtapa Hall in Gweru, Wha Wha Prison, Connemara Prison, and Sikombela Detention Camp.
These sites hold great national significance, with Mtapa Hall having hosted ZANU’s first congress in 1964, where the decision to take up arms against the settler regime was made.
National heroes such as the late President Robert Mugabe were also detained at Wha Wha and Sikombela.
"The graves of heroes and heroines at provincial and district heroes’ acres in Midlands will be spruced up as part of the preparations," Dr. Muswere added.
Minister Muswere said that the hosting of the celebrations in Midlands Province aligns with the Government’s commitment to "leaving no one and no place behind."
As part of this initiative, the Cabinet approved the implementation of the Nhimbe/Ilima Road Rehabilitation Programme, with a focus on rehabilitating the Kadoma-Sanyati-Gokwe-Nembudziya Road to facilitate access to the venue.
The road rehabilitation project will be supported by the Zimbabwe National Roads Authority (ZINARA), with technical assistance from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency.
"ZINARA is expected to fast-track the disbursement of fuel and other resources to ensure the successful completion of the road works ahead of the 2025 celebrations," Dr. Muswere noted.
According to the Minister, roads in the competing districts of Gokwe North, Gokwe South, and Mberengwa will also be rehabilitated, and depending on resource availability, additional roads in the province will be upgraded as part of the preparations for the 45th Independence celebrations.
Hosting the national celebrations in Nembudziya is expected to bring substantial infrastructural development to the marginalised districts of Midlands Province, further supporting the government's efforts to promote inclusive development across the country.
"The Independence celebrations are not only a time to reflect on our nation’s liberation but also an opportunity to drive development in regions that need it the most," Dr. Muswere said.
The 2025 Independence Day will mark the 45th anniversary of Zimbabwe's liberation from colonial rule, and Government is committed to ensuring that the celebrations in Midlands Province are both memorable and meaningful for the nation as a whole.
