Anthony Muzondo
GWERU: In a historical event, Vice President General (Retired) Dr Constantino Chiwenga officially lit and handed over the independence flame to the Midlands province at Mtapa hall in Gweru, setting the stage for the display of the flame across the province which hosts this year’s Uhuru celebrations.
The lighting of the independence flame at this historical monument is significant as the Mtapa hall hosted ZANU congress of 1964 which came with a resolution for the commencement of an armed struggle against the white settler regime.
In his remarks General Retired Dr Chiwenga says the independence flame is a constant reminder on the need for Zimbabweans to respect the ethos of the liberation struggle which binds the nation together going forward.
“It was a commitment we entered here (Mtapa Hall) that we should fight for our liberation. Sacrifice was made and blood was shed. Zimbabwe could not have been independent if people who gathered here had backed off.
“Some never lived to enjoy the fruits of independence. The Late Vice President Leopold Takawira died in prison, Chitepo died in a car bombing set by the Rhodesian settlers and for that we never forget that this country was conquered through blood shed,” VP Chiwenga said..
“The decision’s impact continues to be felt until today, with legacy influencing our nation’s path. The congress not only marked the official launch of ZANU-PF as a nationalist movement but also dedicated the party to fighting for Zimbabwe’s independence from colonial rule,” he added.
The Midlands leadership welcomed the independence flame while some government Ministers who attended the occasion weighed-in saying the country’s independence should be cherished as it came through a grueling war where sons and daughters of the soil lost their lives.
Mtapa hall is one of the infrastructures that has been earmarked to be transformed into a national monument as the Midlands province hosts this year’s independence celebrations.
From the launch, the independence flame will be taken to Mberengwa district and will be paraded across the province until it reaches Sikombela where it will be lit by Vice President Kembo Mohadi on the 17th of April before being taken to Mutora business center for national independence celebrations.
This year’s independence celebrations are being held in Midlands, Gokwe under the theme Zim @45 devolve and develop together towards vision 2030.
