Matebeleland South to host 2026 independence day celebrations

Next year's Independence Day Celebrations and Children's Party will be held in Matebeleland South Province, while Masvingo Province has been earmarked to host the 2027 edition, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere has announced.

Speaking at the post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, Dr Muswere said the hosting venues had been selected in line with a Cabinet-approved rotational system introduced under the Second Republic's Devolution Agenda, which seeks to decentralise national events and promote equitable development across all provinces.

"In accordance with the approved criteria, the Independence Day Celebrations and Children's Party are scheduled to be held in Matebeleland South Province in 2026 and in Masvingo Province in 2027," said Dr Muswere. "Cabinet approved criteria to determine future hosts for Independence Day Celebrations and Children's Party events, based on the national Infrastructure Deficit Index. This prioritises provinces with the greatest infrastructure development needs among those that have not yet hosted the Uhuru celebrations."

Traditionally held in Harare, the annual celebrations were decentralised beginning in 2021 as part of efforts to ensure inclusive national participation and stimulate local infrastructure development. Since the policy shift, the events have rotated across five provinces: Harare in 2021, Bulawayo in 2022, Mashonaland Central in 2023, Manicaland in 2024, and the Midlands in 2025.

Dr Muswere also presented the Cabinet's review report of the just-ended 45th Independence Day Celebrations and 2025 Children's Party held in Gokwe North District, Midlands Province. He highlighted the extensive infrastructure development initiatives undertaken in preparation for the event, most notably the construction of a 2,000-seater stadium at Nembudziya Open Grounds.

In addition to the stadium, a host of legacy projects were implemented to uplift the socio-economic status of the province. These included the construction and rehabilitation of educational facilities such as classrooms, hostels, and laboratories, as well as the upgrading of cultural heritage sites, public amenities, and memorials linked to the liberation struggle.

The health sector also received a boost through projects such as the refurbishment of the School of Nursing, upgrading of the VVIP ward, construction of a mortuary, and the establishment of 20 telemedicine-equipped sites across Gokwe North District, all connected to the internet.

Water and sanitation projects were also prioritised, including the drilling and repair of boreholes-12 of which were solarised. Additionally, rural electrification efforts were undertaken along with improvements to roads and aviation infrastructure. Among the roads constructed or upgraded were the Kadoma-Nembudziya road, Nembudziya-Gokwe town road, Gokwe-Hovano-Tshoda road, Sanyati-Nembudziya road, and the Kwekwe-Gokwe road.

Economic empowerment initiatives were also introduced, with 57 Village Business Units being established in the district to support local livelihoods.

Dr Muswere underscored that these developments are in line with the Government's policy of "leaving no one and no place behind." He added that the Government would continue to monitor the implementation of legacy projects in all provinces that have previously hosted the national celebrations to ensure transparency, efficiency, and timely delivery.

The rotational hosting of Independence Day celebrations is seen as a vehicle for stimulating rural development and national unity through shared heritage and inclusive economic transformation.