Story by Bruce Chahwanda, Political Editor
PREPARATIONS for Zimbabwe’s 45th Independence Day celebrations, set to take place in Gokwe-Nembudziya, have intensified, with several legacy projects nearing completion ahead of the commemorations.
As the nation marks its independence anniversary this April, government-led initiatives have accelerated, transforming the Gokwe-Nembudziya open grounds into a hive of activity.
Updating journalists in Harare this Tuesday on Cabinet deliberations, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, highlighted significant progress in the construction of key infrastructure.
“The venue of the Children’s Party, Nyamuroro High School is undergoing vast transformation through the construction of two ablution blocks and two students’ hostels, both of which are almost complete. Regarding works at Nembudziya Government High School, the Gala site, the construction of one ablution block, two classroom blocks, a domestic science laboratory, and a senior science laboratory have reached wall plate level with roof installation being the next phase,” Dr Muswere said.
The government has also embarked on road rehabilitation as part of legacy projects with short and long-term projects set to benefit the Gokwe community.
“Long-term interventions include the ongoing rehabilitation of roads and related infrastructure under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme earmarked for completion well after April 18 celebrations,” the Minister said.
“The short term interventions include the re-gravelling and surfacing of major feeder roads to and from Nembudziya Growth Point for completion prior to April 17, 2025. A cumulative total of 129 boreholes have been drilled in Gokwe districts with seven boreholes drilled at the venue site. A total water storage capacity of 60 000 litres has been set aside for drinking water during the celebrations.
“Concerning health and wellness, the following services among others, have been mobilised for the celebrations; 10 emergency health management teams, 10 ambulances, an air ambulance, and emergency kits. A VIP ward isolation centre and 16 telemedicine centres have also been established.”
Meanwhile, Cabinet approved the five-year Zimbabwe media policy anchored on the need to achieve a strong and converged digital economy with its sixth pillar focussing on local content promotion.
“The objectives of the policy are; to defend Zimbabwe’s image, sovereignty and territorial integrity, to achieve a strong and converged digital economy, to promote the growth and development of vibrant, diverse media industry in Zimbabwe, to transform Zimbabwe’s media landscape through the development of modern, efficient, and sustainable infrastructure, to promote professionalism and capacitate the industry, to develop and enforce comprehensive code of ethics, raising standards of media practices in Zimbabwe; to promote media viability and sustainability.
“The sixth pillar of the policy which is local content promotion addresses challenges such as funding constraints, limited producer capacity, the dominance of foreign content, and an inadequate regulatory framework. To promote local content and counter foreign dominance, the policy maintains a 75% local content quota for all broadcasting licensees, except for specialised ones,” Dr Muswere said.
Some of the issues discussed in the post-Cabinet media briefing include projects under the 100-day cycle, the establishment of a heritage-based educational radio channel in Bulawayo, the installation of a digital media asset management system and the construction of courts at Mutawatawa, Kwekwe and Cowdry Park in Bulawayo.
