By Staff Reporter
Preparations to celebrate the country 41st Independence Day are already in full swing with Cabinet announcing this year’s Independence Anniversary’s theme.
Addressing journalists yesterday after a 38th Cabinet session, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, said this year’s Independence Day will be celebrated under the theme “Zim@41-Together, Growing our Economy for a Prosperous, Resilient and Inclusive Society”.
The Minister said that the independence celebrations will be preceded by a Children’s Party that will be attended by 50 learners selected across the country due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
“With regard to the Children’s Party, Cabinet approved that 50 learners selected from primary and secondary schools across all the ten Provinces and encompassing the districts will be facilitated to attend the main event at State House on 17th April, 2021. The number is inclusive of Child Parliamentarians. Each province will therefore provide for five children who shall be accompanied to State House by two teachers,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Minister Mutsvangwa said that the transition from the Children’s Party to Independence Day will be marked by a Virtual Independence Gala. There will also be a half hour fireworks display on the night of 17 April at the Rainbow Towers to mark the beginning of the celebrations.
The Minister informed that in the run up to the 2021 Independence Day, there shall be a national clean-up campaign coordinated by the Ministries of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation; and Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry. The Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services will also ensure that selected segments are beamed to the nation.
Minister Mutsvangwa also signaled the official return of football when she announced that Dynamos and Highlanders will fight it out on Independence Day.
“Two most popular clubs, Dynamos and Highlanders, will compete for honours in the President’s Independence Day Trophy under strict WHO Protocols and National Guidelines to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus,” said the Minister.
To ensure that President Mnangagwa’s Independence Day speech is heard by everyone in the country, Cabinet has resolved that 16 radio stations be resourced for the purpose of broadcasting the President’s Speech in the official languages dominant in each community.
For the second year running, Zimbabwe will celebrate its Independence Day under lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic.
The usual merriments that have attracted thousands to various stadiums for the Independence Day celebrations in years past have all been suspended to curb the spread of the disease.
