Zimbabwe marks 37th independence anniversary

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe delivers his speech during the country's 37 Independence celebrations in Harare, Tuesday, April, 18, 2017. Zimbabwe is celebrating 37 years of Independence from British colonial rule with the ruling Zanu Pf party calling on patriots to uphold and cherish the values that informed the liberation struggle.[Photo: AP]

President Robert Mugabe on Tuesday led Zimbabwe in celebrating 37 years of political independence from Britain and underscored the need for Zimbabweans to keep working hard to develop the economy.

He said after gaining its independence, a major task for Zimbabwe was to robustly develop its stuttering economy.

"All the sacrifices which we endured were not in vain, for we attained our independence. But the assignment is not yet complete. It is still incumbent upon all of us Zimbabweans to work hard to translate into true meaning that freedom, sovereignty and independence so it can have the meaning and significance we desire," Mugabe said in his address at the main independence celebration event at the National Sports Stadium in the capital Harare.

The independence celebrations ran under the theme: "Zimbabwe @ 37: Embracing ease of doing business for socio-economic development."

Mugabe said his government continues to pursue development programs and socio-economic policies to consolidate the country's independence.

Since independence in 1980, the government had put in place a number of programs aimed at "transformation, sustenance and revitalization" of the country's economy, he said.

He said economic growth was expected to benefit from a bumper harvest expected this year following good rains that were received after two years of consecutive drought.

Government also expected other key sectors of mining, manufacturing and tourism to perform well this year due to several initiatives being implemented, Mugabe said.

He commended the improved availability of power in the country, saying this would also spur economic growth.

Soldiers carry Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe's portrait during the country's 37th Independence celebrations in Harare, Tuesday, April, 18, 2017. Zimbabwe is celebrating 37 years of Independence from British colonial rule with the ruling Zanu Pf party calling on patriots to uphold and cherish the values that informed the liberation struggle.[Photo: AP]

The country, which in the past few years suffered debilitating power cuts due to severely reduced power generation capacity, has not had load shedding for the past 15 months due to improved local generation augmented by imports from neighboring South Africa and Mozambique.

China's Sino Hydro is also carrying out an expansion project at the country's second largest power plant, Kariba Hydro Power Station to add 300 megawatts.

Mugabe said completion of this project is expected to further stabilize power generation in the country and boost economic growth.

As Zimbabwe celebrated its birthday, Mugabe urged the country's security forces to remain vigilant in safeguarding the country's national sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.

"I want to urge the security forces to remain vigilant, remembering that the enemy is ever ready to pounce on any sign of laxity and weakness our part. We must celebrate as a vigilant nation," he said.

He also urged Zimbabweans to remain united and patriotic, ensuring that "we all belong to Zimbabwe regardless of our differences whether these are religious, tribal, political or any other."

Meanwhile, thousands of Zimbabweans thronged the 50,000-seat National Sports Stadium in Harare to celebrate the Independence Day where they were treated to various kinds of entertainment including security forces and school children's displays, music and dance.

A soccer match between local teams Dynamos and Highlanders is also part of the independence celebrations.

Zimbabweans throughout the country also thronged nine other provincial centers to celebrate the day where Ministers of State read Mugabe's speech.