MATABELELAND South Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister Albert Nguluvhe has conducted a tour of key legacy projects in Beitbridge as the province intensifies preparations to host this year’s Independence Day celebrations in Matobo District.
One of the major sites inspected was the historic Zezani Assembly Point, also known as Juliet Assembly Point, a location of national significance where Zipra and Zanlacombatants assembled under the supervision of Commonwealth forces during the 1979 Lancaster House Conference.
Zezani is the only assembly point in Matabeleland South and one of 16 such sites established nationwide as part of the ceasefire arrangements leading to Zimbabwe’s independence.
The heritage site sits on the old Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) campsite and is currently being developed by the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ).
Ongoing construction includes an interpretive house, an interpretive board, flagpoles, an independence flame stand, and a metal silhouette of a soldier carrying an AK47, symbolising the victory over colonialism.
According to project supervisors, the upgrades are on track to be completed in the first week of April.
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The site will play a central role in national commemorations, with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga expected to light the Independence flame at Zezani on April 10.
The flame will then travel through all seven districts of Matabeleland South before arriving in Matobo for the 46th Independence celebrations.“This is a very critical point, which was established during the ceasefire as we fought for our liberation from colonial rule,” Nguluvhe said during the tour.
NMMZ curator Stanley Nyamagodo expressed confidence in the project timeline.
“We are grateful for the support we are getting on the ground, and we are confident that we will complete this project within our set time frame of April 5.”