The ManicaPost
TONIGHT when the clock strikes midnight, Zimbabwe will turn 40 years old.
Life begins at 40, hence we should all look forward to the beckoning good tide when we turn the Covid-19 corner.
Indeed, the nation is free from the clutches of colonialism and its accompanying injustices — forced labour, corporal punishment, unfair application of the law, inequality of salaries and limitation of political rights, etcetera.
While some might take it for granted, Mutare’s Central Business District and all the affluent suburbs in Manicaland were once out of bounce for blacks, unless if one was holding a pass to visit such areas. Back then, there were schools, restaurants, etcetera, for whites only. Segregation was real and degrading to the black folk.
Sacrifices were made to correct that and more sacrifices are still being made to build the Zimbabwe we all want.
The road has not been smooth, there have been blood, tears and sweat along the way.
But to make it all worthwhile, there have also been triumphs.
On this eve of the country’s Independence Day, it is imperative to remind the nation that since 1980, many schools, universities, hospitals and dams have been built.
Yet in the darkness of opposition political activism, a portion of the nation is wrapped up in fanaticism that is fuelled by ignorance and mob mentality. The serial sanction beggars seem to have dedicated their lives to sabotaging the country economically, instead of expending energy on building it.
Therefore as Zimbabwe celebrates 40 good years of independence, the southern African nation still has to dismantle the residues of economic and psychological colonialism that are weighing it down.
Fortunately, we remain hopeful.
The young generations, who are the custodians of Zimbabwe’s future, have grasped a very vital lesson in national consciousness — that the despairs of yesterday should never have a negative bearing on tomorrow. Instead, let yesterday — good or bad — be the foundation for a better tomorrow.
Therefore using that principle, our beautiful motherland, small as it is, stands strong like the Biblical David against the Goliaths of this world; talk of the illegal sanctions, Covid-19, you name it.
As we stride into the future with confidence, we need to share a common vision. Our accomplishments to date should be able to indicate where the nation is likely to be in another 40 years.
We need clear strategies on how we can efficiently turn our vast resources into revenue — the timber, tea and coffee estates of Mutasa, the waterfalls and hot springs of Chimanimani, Chipinge’s sugarcane and macadamia nuts, Nyanga and Buhera’s tourism sites, as well as picturesque Mutare’s diamonds.
We need to be committed to creating a legacy for the future generations. That vision should reverberate in the heart and mind of every citizen of Zimbabwe. Unity should be the glue that binds us.
President Mnangagwa cannot build that legacy on his own.
When he is talking about future generations, he is not only talking about his own lineage, he is also talking about our children and their children and those to follow.
We cannot let those generations down and therefore a lot needs to be done as soon as yesterday. We need to deal with the corruption cancer decisively.
Following years of isolation, Zimbabwe needs to reposition herself in the global family of nations through re-engagement.
The nation needs to maintain a stable political and economic environment so as to attract investors.
Those on the farms need to ensure food security.
We need to play our part in liberating this country economically.
There is no room for intellectual laziness and cowardice at this decisive moment of the struggle.
