Rutenga Growth Point in Mwenezi District, Masvingo Province, has been officially selected to host Zimbabwe’s 47th Independence celebrations and the 2027 Children’s Party, bringing national attention and anticipated development to one of the country’s remote districts.
The decision was approved by Cabinet following a report presented by Vice President Kembo Mohadi and announced during a post-Cabinet briefing in Harare yesterday by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Zhemu Soda.
The selection of Rutenga reflects Government’s continued commitment to the rotational hosting of national events and its policy of ensuring that historically marginalised and underdeveloped areas benefit from major national programmes and infrastructure investments.
Addressing journalists after the Cabinet meeting, Dr Soda said the decision was in line with a Cabinet directive adopted in May last year.
“Masvingo Province will host the 47th Independence anniversary celebrations and the 2027 Children’s Party in line with the Cabinet directive at its meeting of 20 May 2025 on the Independence celebrations rotational hosting sequence,” he said.
Dr Soda noted that the choice of Rutenga was guided by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision of ensuring that remote communities are prioritised in national development initiatives.
“It should be recalled that in one of his earlier interventions, His Excellency the President stressed that remoteness and underdevelopment should be accorded importance in the selection of a hosting district.
“In that regard, Rutenga Growth Point in Mwenezi District has been approved as the venue for the 47th Independence celebrations and the 2027 Children’s Party,” said Dr Soda.
The hosting of Independence celebrations has increasingly become a catalyst for local development, with previous host provinces benefiting from significant investments in roads, health facilities, sporting infrastructure, water systems and other public amenities ahead of the commemorations.
Meanwhile, Cabinet also considered sites of historical significance linked to Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle where the Independence Flame will be lit as part of the commemorative activities.
Dr Soda said Gonakudzingwa, a former detention camp located in Chiredzi District, and Jenya, a liberation war memorial site in Chivi District, were identified as Places of Significance for the national programme.
The inclusion of the two sites is expected to strengthen efforts to preserve and celebrate Zimbabwe’s liberation heritage while educating younger generations about the sacrifices made during the struggle for independence.
With Rutenga now confirmed as the host venue, preparations are expected to begin in earnest, paving the way for infrastructure development and economic opportunities that could transform the growth point and surrounding communities ahead of the historic national celebration.
