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In an interview towards the end of the event, Bulawayo Provincial Administrator, Mrs Khonzani Ncube, said they had surpassed the target            and would consolidate their figures by yesterday.

“The response has been overwhelming. We got more than what we expected in both cash and in kind. We will consolidate our figures tomorrow,” said Mrs Ncube.

She said they had budgeted for 400 guests but ended up selling 600 tickets adding that some people were turned away.

Bulawayo Governor and Resident Minister Cain Mathema, who was the guest of honour, described the turnout as very good.

“The turnout is very good and has almost doubled the previous years. We have got more than what we had targeted. The turnout for this year’s Governor’s Ball was better than any other year that I have been Governor in the province,” said Governor Mathema.

The chairperson of the event organising committee, Dr Benedict Moyo, said the trick behind this year’s event was that they used a personalised approach, which saw most business people coming forward.

“We emphasised that the independence celebrations were for all Zimbabweans irrespective of colour, race or creed. We even included the other parties in the Inclusive Government in our committees,” said Dr Moyo.

The parties are Zanu-PF, MDC and MDC-T.

He said attendance surpassed their expectations and they hoped that the less privileged members of the community would also celebrate the independence of the country in their large numbers.

Zanu-PF Central Committee member, Cde Molly Mpofu said; “The attendance was good and people from Bulawayo should be happy that they are showing commitment to the development of the city.”

Earlier in his opening address Governor Mathema said everybody should cherish the Independence Day celebrations as they symbolised the freedom that Zimbabweans are enjoying today.

Governor Mathema reminded the large gathering of how Zimbabweans waged a fierce liberation war in order to attain independence.
He castigated the British Government and its allies for imposing illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe in a bid to frustrate economic development and cause strife among Zimbabweans.

Governor Mathema said the Government was pushing ahead with its indigenisation and economic empowerment programme, viewed as a long term strategy to eradicate poverty and enhance improved socio-economic development through creating opportunities for all Zimbabweans to participate in the national economy.

“Everyone must be empowered including civil servants. We are saying all have the right to own property and run businesses. Asinotheni sonke,” said Governor Mathema amid thunderous applause.

“In Bulawayo we have a problem of pointing figures at the wrong people when we are not doing anything ourselves. Let us shun tribalism and guard against being used by external forces to fight each other. Let us stand up and start our own businesses irrespective of whether you are a Shona, Ndebele or Xhosa. Division among ourselves is the strategy of the enemy.”
Governor Mathema urged business people facing challenges to approach his office for assistance.

He castigated organisations such as the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) and the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) for criticising the Government without proffering solutions to challenges facing the economy.
Pomp and fanfare punctuated the event, which was attended by business people, representatives of different political parties, uniformed forces and members of the public.

There was excitement when Governor Mathema took to the stage to demonstrate his nimble footedness drawing loud applause from the crowd.
He was later joined by Zanu-PF Politburo member, Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, his wife Dr Rosemary, Zimbabwe National Army Bulawayo District Commander Lieutenant Colonel Exsebious Vusa Tshuma and war veterans.

There were wild cheers of joy at midnight  signalling the start of 32nd independence anniversary celebrations.