The ManicaPost
MONDAY, April 18, 2022 will be one of the most joyous and memorable days in our history as the nation commemorates 42 years of Independence Day.
It was on this historic day, in 1980, that Britain relinquished power into our hands.
But our independence did not come cheap; it was conquered through the liberation struggle after years of being the foot-stool of colonialism and imperialism, exploitation and degradation.
Our people languished in chains of slavery and humiliation, while the exploiters and self-appointed controllers of our destiny strode across our land with incredible inhumanity and without mercy, shame and honour.
There is no ideal time to remind each other of this than now – lest we forget and bastardize the ideals of the liberation struggle.
A good history shapes the future.
After all we went through under Mr Ian Douglas Smith’s regime, our wounds are still too fresh for us to erase them from our memories.
We endured hard labour for which we were paid wages that could neither feed, dress, house us decently nor raise our children.
We were mocked, insulted and struck morning, noon and night for being black.
We don’t envy a return of those painful days, hence the sacredness of our independence.
Our independence should never be betrayed for anything.
As we celebrate this year’s celebrations under the theme ‘Zim @ 42 – Leaving no one and no place behind’, we need to put Zimbabwe first.
Our joy is understandable considering what we endured in the past.
We have tasted victory and as a nation we will keep winning.
We fought for the need for dignity and that has been satisfied.
The land that we fought for has been claimed back, and is now in our hands.
The multiparty electoral system, and the periodic elections we cried for to elect our President, parliaments and councillors, has been adopted.
We also enjoy political tolerance, participatory democracy, justice, peace and reconciliation.
Since 1980, we have built an excellent education and health care system that remains the envy of the continent.
With the emergence of an independent media, these developments place us on a sound footing to deal with the various challenges facing us as a nation.
Although colonialism was practically and morally unsustainable, the transfer of power to the black majority was greatly complicated by the presence of entrenched white settlers that controlled the levers of the economy.
However, the struggle for independence is economic, and it therefore continues. It still presents itself today in economic terms, and will be won on the development front.
As we celebrate our achievements, opportunities and potential, we must also honestly address the realities and challenges that still confront our nation.
We still have to work hard to develop an economy that prioritizes the needs of our citizens.
We need to continue investing in human capital development, including education and training, and creating jobs that can keep skilled and talented young Zimbabweans from emigrating abroad.
Their energy and abilities are crucial in transforming our country.
Women must also be given the platform to play a more meaningful role in developing the country and occupying pivotal decision-making positions. We must aim to create a fair society.
No child should go without education for whatever reason.
We do not intend to do all this from foreign charity.
Rather, we must toil as a nation to avoid compromising our independence by begging for assistance.
Our progress, hope and ambitions can only be fulfilled if we work hard together as Zimbabweans.
