Zimbabwe celebrates 39 years of independence

Thousands of people have gathered in Zimbabwe's National Sports Stadium to celebrate the 39th anniversary of the country's independence

The 60-thousand seat China-built stadium has been packed with people cheering, singing and dancing.

This year's celebrations are running under the theme, "Zimbabwe @39: Embracing Devolution for Vision 2030", feeding into the government efforts to grow the country into an upper-middle income economy by 2030.

In his keynote speech at the event, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa reiterated his administration's commitment to reviving the country's economy.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa gives a keynote speech at the main event to celebrate the 39th anniversary of Zimbabwe’s Independence at the National Sports Stadium in Harare on Thursday, April 18, 2019. [Photo: China Plus]

"Let us consolidate our hard-won independence through disciplined focus on the development of the economy and improvements in the quality of life of all our people. To this end, my administration continues to engage a broad spectrum of our society to help sharpen government's perspective on issues across the socio-economic and political spectrum."

The celebrations come at a time when the country is witnessing a fresh wave of price increases of most basic commodities.

People cheer at the main event to celebrate the 39th anniversary of Zimbabwe’s Independence at the National Sports Stadium in Harare on Thursday, April 18, 2019. [Photo: China Plus]

Mnangagwa slammed businesses for hiking prices, saying it brought about suffering to the people.

"This conduct by stakeholders in business, industry and commerce is inhumane, unethical, unpatriotic and goes against the grain of economic dialogue that we have initiated in this country."

Mnangagwa has also spent some time mourning the lives lost due to Cyclone Idai, saying the disastrous storm has left a grievous scar on the nation.

He thanked the whole nation and international society for their contributions in disaster relief and recovery.

"I would like to once again thank the nation for the collective response to Cyclone Idai and the generous contributions to the relief efforts. I wish to mention in particular, countries like China, UAE, USA, Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia and South Africa and many others who donated several quantities of medicines, tents, food and non-food items. This proves that we remain one big family, despite our distinct geographic distances."

People are not bothered by heavy rains at the main event to celebrate the 39th anniversary of Zimbabwe’s Independence at the National Sports Stadium in Harare on Thursday, April 18, 2019. [Photo: China Plus]

New Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Guo Shaochun was among the foreign dignitaries attending the celebrations.