For the first time, the province hosted the main Independence Day celebrations, officiated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and attended by several government officials, marking a rare moment for Matabeleland South to stage an event of this scale. Inside the newly built Maphisa ‘stadium’, official proceedings marked the occasion, while outside, the true spirit of independence was on display, as ordinary Zimbabweans, driven by enterprise, hustle and survival, turned a national celebration into an economic opportunity. Dozens of informal traders, food vendors and small-scale entrepreneurs converged outside the venue selling various food items, trinkets and clothing wares on Saturday to earn a living.

Travelling from as far as Bulawayo and Masvingo, while joined by local residents, they arrived with pots,pans, gas stoves, groceries and high hopes of cashing in on the large crowds. Although early rains disrupted business, dampening both the ground and spirits, activity picked up as the weather cleared, with vendors reporting a gradual increase in customers as the day progressed. “I came from Masvingo by bus and arrived after 10am.

People are now starting to buy,” said 74-year-old Conciria Kudzani, also known as Giant. “We brought our wares and we will return to Masvingo after the celebrations. We are happy, it is better than nothing.

This is my first time in Matabeleland South, and I am seeing the joy of independence here locally.” From Bulawayo’s Nketha suburb, 27-year-old Cynthia Nyathi said she left home before dawn to secure a good spot. “We left around 5am and arrived after 7am. We started selling as soon as we arrived – chips, drinks, and Russian sausages for $1.50, ” she said.

“We carried everything we needed from Bulawayo and we are happy so far. We will only leave when the festivities end.” Others had arrived days earlier in anticipation of crowds, as Mbalenhle Dube (23), from Emganwini in Bulawayo, said she had been in Maphisa for several days preparing for the event. “We are selling sausage rolls, samoosas, scones, isitshwala, drinks and water,” she said.

“Business has been slow, but we come daily because we expected these crowds. The road is better now, it used to be bad. Independence Day has taught us as young people how to survive and be independent.” For local vendors, the event brought both some hope and relief with Phathiwe Tshabalala (66), from Mahetshe, said she was selling bananas, cream doughnuts and drinks to help cover school fees.

“Business is slow for now, but we are hopeful that by the end of the day we will have made something,” she said. “We are happy as locals to host independence here. We are seeing development, schools such as Mahetshe Primary and Secondary have more classrooms, and the road to Bulawayo is improving.” Monica Nxumalo said the influx of visitors was unprecedented.

“We have never seen this kind of movement before. It is a historic moment,” she said. “Our children are learning from these events, seeing how parades work.

Business was slow when people were eating inside the stadium, but they have been coming to buy.” Others highlighted how the independence event had opened up economic space for small businesses. Ndabezinhle Ncube (55) said vendors were allowed to set up stalls after paying licensing fees to the local authority. “We paid US$20 for two days, 17 and 18 April to the council, and we started selling yesterday,” he said.

“We are grateful we were not chased away. This shows that Zimbabwe has people who are working for themselves. Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo (the country is built by its owners.” Ncube said the construction of the ‘stadium’ and infrastructure upgrades would leave a lasting legacy for the district.

“Now we will be able to watch football here instead of travelling to Bulawayo or Harare,” he said. “Having many people here has already brought development. Next time you come to Maphisa, it will be even bigger.” Despite the optimism, the rains earlier in the day disrupted trade.

Patience Mpofu (35), who had set up her stall the previous day, said the weather had slowed business. “We slept here to prepare for today. The rains affected us, but we still have hope,” she said.

“Once it stops, people will come. We are happy the celebrations came to this part of Zimbabwe and hope that the festivities continue doing so.” For some vendors, traditional foods proved popular. Sinini Mguni (47), from Mafuyane in Maphisa said her amacimbi (mopane worms) were selling well.

“This is my fourth pot and people are loving them,” she said, adding that locals were happy to have a stadium, a cultural centre, and better roads. These developments will help us.” Mguni added that the construction of a vocational training centre named after Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, constructed in St Joseph’s in Matobo District, as part of efforts to honour the late Father Zimbabwe, would benefit local youth. “At least our children will get skills and opportunities. It is good to see such projects