Zimbabweans celebrates 35th Independence

Zimbabweans from across the country braved the chilly and rainy weather to joined the 35th Independence celebrations in their respective provinces.

While the national celebrations were held in Harare, celebrations were also held in all the country's provinces, where Provincial Ministers of State presided over proceedings.

In Manicaland provincial capital, Mutare, a delegation from Mozambique headed by the Governor for Manica Province, Alberto Ricardo Mondlane, and comprising senior Frelimo members graced the celebrations to render their solidarity.

Proceedings started soon after the arrival of the Minister of State for Manicaland, Mandi Chimene and service chiefs.

Minister Chimene inspected the guard of honour before delivering an independence speech.

In Matabeleland North Province, provincial celebrations were marked at Somhlolo Stadium in Lupane and were presided over by the Minister of State for the province, Ambassador Cain Mathema.

It was all rains at Rudaka Stadium in Marondera, Mashonaland East Province, but that could not stop the celebrations.

The Minister of State for the province, Joel Biggie Matiza arrived to a euphoric atmosphere as people with umbrellas ignored the downpours to celebrate Uhuru.

He inspected the guard of honour before reading the Independence Speech, which touched on government's initiatives to uplift the socio-economic well-being of Zimbabweans.

At Mucheke Stadium in Masvingo Province, the celebrations started with the arrival of service chiefs, followed by the Minister of State for the province, Shuvai Mahofa, who proceeded to inspect the main parade which was mounted by the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services.
Mahofa then read the presidential independence speech after which the capacity crowd was entertained by the parade's quick and slow motion drills.

The ZCC Choir, drills and a soccer match that pitted More Fire against Prison Pirates also thrilled the crowd.

People who spoke to the ZBC News thanked President Robert Mugabe for the economic empowerment of ordinary citizens through the formulation of home-grown policies in a bid to avert poverty.

They also spoke about significant advancements in the education sector and the nationalisation of strategic mineral resources such as gold and diamond.

This year's Uhuru theme: 'Consolidating Unity, Peace and Economic Sovereignty,' resonates well with the nation's economic blue-print, ZIMASSET, which calls for the socio-economic development of anyone at any level.