By A Correspondent

As Zimbabwe prepares to mark its 45th Independence Anniversary on April 18, 2025, many are questioning whether there is anything to truly celebrate this year.

The Independence Day celebrations will take place in Gweru, located in the Midlands Province, a departure from previous years. However, observers are expressing doubts about the significance of this year’s events, given the country’s ongoing economic and political challenges.

In a statement made over the weekend, the Minister of State for Midlands Province, Owen Mudha Ncube, emphasized the importance of the occasion, saying, “Mhemberero dzeIndependence gore rino dzichange dzichiitirwa kuno kuMidlands Province, kuGokwe North District. Tinoda kutenda zvikurusa kumutungamiri weNyika President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa vakatendera kuti mhemberero idzi dziitwe kuMidlands.” (Translation: “This year’s Independence celebrations will be held here in the Midlands Province, in Gokwe North District. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the nation’s leader, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, for allowing these celebrations to take place in the Midlands.”)

Ncube also noted the scale of the event, which will feature food for attendees, stating, “Kutaura kuno pava nemombe dzokwana kuita 200 dzevanhu kuti vadye.” (Translation: “There will be around 200 cattle for people to feast on.”)

Despite the preparations for a large gathering and the acknowledgment of the President’s role in facilitating the celebrations, many Zimbabweans are questioning whether this year’s Independence Day offers any real cause for celebration. The country continues to grapple with significant economic hardships, including high inflation, unemployment, and widespread poverty, leaving many to wonder if the country is truly free from the struggles that continue to plague it.

As Zimbabweans reflect on 45 years of independence, the question remains: Is there truly something to celebrate this year?