The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi
Post Reporter
BIRTHDAY anniversaries, by nature, are a momentous event — a moment to savour as one commemorates the occasion they were born and came into existence.
The celebrations are marked by revelry, reflections, buoyant optimism for better days ahead and prayers for a long, fruitful life.
On the occasion, family, relatives and friends assemble to honour and fête the celebrant.
Today is special for Zimbabwe — it is her birthday!
This is the day we celebrate unfettering ourselves from the shackles of British colonial rule and attained independence.
As this is the day the Lord made for us Zimbabweans, we must rejoice and be glad in it.
Thousands of people from all walks of life are today converging in Murambinda in Manicaland’s Province’s Buhera District to commemorate the national Independence Day celebrations, one of the most important days on Zimbabwe’s calendar.
The young, old, men, women and delegates from other countries are in for a pleasant treat from President Mnangagwa’s official address, and the drill displays by the uniformed forces to a potentially thrilling football match, entertainment galore and an all-night-long music gala.
Secretary for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Abiot Maronge, said the stage is set for what promises to be a memorable event that will linger longer in the memories of virtually everyone in attendance.
“All roads lead to Murambinda B High School in Buhera where the national Independence Day celebrations are taking place today. After weeks of meticulous preparations to ensure that the occasion lives to its top billing, we are as good as ready to roll. As the host, Manicaland is proud of the honour bestowed on the province, and we are looking forward to a highly successful event that will leave an indelible mark and lasting impression.
“This is a very big and special day, not only for the province, but the entire country. The programme started yesterday (Wednesday) with the Children’s Party and will continue today with the main event where His Excellency, President Mnangagwa will address the gathering, followed by several activities lined up for the day.
“Uhuru commemorations are important to the nation as we mark the anniversary of our independence from the former colonisers. We also get to reflect on the journey we have travelled to date as we continue working hard for the development and transformation of our country towards an empowered and prosperous upper-middle income society by 2030,” said Mr Maronge.
Nyanga North Zanu PF legislator, Honourable Chido Sanyatwe, who is also Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Deputy Minister, said self-rule opened doors for Zimbabwean women to participate and lead in various sectors of the economy, with some turning into major and respected players in their respective fields.
“Since gaining independence, Zimbabwe has made significant inroads in bringing equality and dignity for women although more still needs to be done in the former aspect. Women now have a voice on important matters and are actively involved in politics, business, sport and academia, among other circles. They also hold key, leadership and decision-making positions in other areas.
“Over the years, the country has continued to accelerate efforts in effectively tackling child marriages and promoting women’s rights as Zimbabwe has enacted laws designed to achieve that end. Some provisions of Section 17 of the Constitution stipulate that steps, including legislative measures, are taken to improve equal representation of both genders in all Government institutions and agencies at every level. All these are the fruits of Uhuru,” she said.
She added that having women contest in national elections, with 60 seats reserved for them in the House of Assembly under an electoral quota system, is one of the major milestones brought about by Independence.
Honourable Sanyatwe said this has propelled women to taking up political space, with some of them elected as legislators and senators, while others head Government ministries, departments and agencies.
War veteran, Cde Gift Kagweda said Zimbabwe’s Uhuru came as a result of the selfless sacrifices made by the sons and daughters of the soil who waged war against the settlers to free the country from the colonial yoke.
Cde Kagweda said the gains of territorial sovereignty and integrity must continue to be consolidated.
“Independence Day celebrations must never be hollow commemorations, but reverberate with our national aspiration of development. That is the reason why the Second Republic under the visionary leadership of President Mnangagwa is decentralising the celebrations across the country so that no one and no place is left behind,” said the ex-combatant.
He urged his fellow comrades during the liberation war to come out in their droves to Buhera, describing the provincial relay of the Independence Flame in all districts as symbolic.
“As veterans of the liberation struggle, we are coming in our numbers to mark this day. That the Uhuru torch has been received in all the districts of Manicaland represents the light to brighten our direction into the future and should also signify the passion with which we should work hard to build our country brick by brick and stone upon stone,” said Cde Kagweda.
Cde Kagweda said hosting the Independence Day celebrations is a huge honour for Manicaland as it is home to some of the stalwarts of the First and Second Chimurenga.
“Several sons and daughters, both living and dead, who made significant contributions to the liberation war hail from Manicaland and having Uhuru commemorations in the province is a befitting honour to them. Stalwarts like Chief Chingaira, Chief Rekayi Tangwena, Cdes Herbert Chitepo, Ndabaningi Sithole, Edgar Tekere, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Monica Mutsvangwa, Vivian Mwashita, Ellen Gwaradzimba, Irene Zindi, Kumbirai Kangai, Kenneth Manyonda, Benjamin Burombo, William Ndangana and Moven Mahachi, among others, are some of the luminaries who illuminated the liberation path,” he said.
Cde Kagweda said the narration of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle story will never be complete without mentioning Manicaland for the role it played at the height of the war.
“Besides producing some of the war’s luminaries, the province holds a special place in our history as it provided a passage for freedom fighters who were crossing into Mozambique to receive military training and join the liberation struggle.
“Also, during the ceasefire period at the dawn of independence, the ex-combatants converged at Dzapasi Assembly Point in Buhera — the largest in the country —where the lowering of the Union Jack and hoisting of the Zimbabwe flag was witnessed,” he said.
Youth activist, Ms Melania Mapudzi said young people should cherish the country’s self-determination by drawing lessons from Zimbabwe’s past experiences and muster inspiration to meaningfully contribute towards the country’s development.
“To get where we are today, it took the blood, sweat and tears of our forefathers to free our motherland. They laid the foundation by winning Independence and the onus is now on us to defend those gains that came about with Uhuru. Our duty is to diligently build on the legacy of our founding fathers to ensure the country’s prosperity.
“Today, we are on the road to transformative development being championed by President Mnangagwa. Avenues for business enterprises in agriculture, mining, tourism and others are being opened up, especially for young people, under the Second Republic and this is one of the many ways of empowering us. These are the sweet rewards of Independence that we are reaping,” she said.
Ms Mapudzi, who runs a thriving tourism and hospitality enterprise, called on fellow youths to emulate the dedication and commitment of Zimbabwe’s liberation war heroes to drive the country forward.
She called on young people to stay away from drugs and remain disciplined.
“As the future leaders, we as young people must look up to our forbearers for both inspiration and emulation. This requires us to desist from abusing drugs and other dangerous substances. Drugs have adverse effects on health and social relations and we run the risk of losing direction when hooked onto them. Discipline is imperative as we follow in the footsteps of our leaders and take their good example of fighting to free and develop Zimbabwe,” said Ms Mapudzi.
An elderly Mutasa man, Mr Kuziwa Samupindi (82), said Zimbabwe’s sovereignty has brought several sweet rewards to savour.
“There were lots of restrictions in pre-independent Zimbabwe as the natives did not enjoy any citizen rights. Segregation was rife as the local people, who were the majority, were treated differently to the white minority. There were curfews, harsh taxes and draconian laws that squeezed the life out of us; not mentioning that some areas were out of bounds to us. Before we gained self-rule, we were second class citizens in our own country.
“However, all that changed at the dawn of Uhuru; we got a new name for our country from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe. Independence was the game changer as the citizens even won the right to participate in voting. It entirely changed the course of our country’s history as we were now able to determine our own destiny. Since 1980, we have charted a new path for our country. With the advent of the New Dispensation under President Mnangagwa, we are continuing with the inclusive and transformative development trajectory,” said Mr Samupindi.
And, indeed, 44 years on, Zimbabwe — as suggested by this year’s theme of the national Independence Day celebrations — is cherishing the gains of Uhuru, riding on unity, peace and development towards Vision 2030.
This is Uhuru’s moment to savour!
