Zim celebrates Uhuru in different style

24 Apr, 2020 - 00:04 0 Views
Zim celebrates  Uhuru in different style

The ManicaPost

Manica Post Reporter

Zimbabwe celebrated 40 years of independence on Friday and for the first time there are no gatherings to mark the anniversary due to the national lockdown enforced to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.

This year’s centrepiece national celebrations were set to be held at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo, which was going to be the first time for the event to move out of the capital, Harare, since 1980.

The move was in line with Government’s thrust of promoting devolution and growth of provincial economies.

Although there are no gatherings, the celebrations still maintained a national character with President Mnangagwa making a televised speech at State House. The absence of gatherings did not dampen the spirit.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said, “It is our 40th Independence. The independence day is came at a time when we joined other nations across the globe in fighting the pandemic that knows no race, no age, no religion or sex.”

The coronavirus, said the minister, had made us change the way we lived our day to day lives and this year Zimbabwe celebrated its 40th birthday in a different style and manner.

“Still that did not stop us from celebrating this auspicious occasion, with more courage and determination to win this war against this Covid-19 threat. On April 18, we celebrated the birth of a nation, a nation that was built out of desire for freedom. A nation whose founding gloves/principles are the need for independence, equality, justice and freedom.

“A nation whose people sacrificed life and won in a modern way of fighting foreign invaders over decades until victory was achieved on the 18th of April 1980. This year we have by-passed the pomp and fanfare and all the same we celebrate in our homes for the reasons of medical safety,’’ said Minister Mutsvangwa.

Zanu-PF national commissar and Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs Cde Victor Matemadanda said April 18 reminded Zimbabweans of the day they ended denial of their rights by the colonial regime.

He said under the old dispensation, independence lost its direction after both Zanu-PF and the Government were hijacked by the G-40 cabal who took advantage of former President Robert Mugabe’s advanced age.

In the Second Republic under the stewardship of President Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe has managed to refocus on clear tasks aimed at bettering the lives of the people.

“Under the able leadership of President Mnangagwa, Government has managed to deal with financial indiscipline.

‘‘The Second Republic brought about accountability and Government is now living within its means. We were unfortunate to be struck by natural disasters such as Cyclone Idai and the Covid-19 pandemic, which requires us to use all the resources we have to save the lives of our people.”

In Manicaland, Provincial Development Coordinator Mr Edgars Seenza said the province followed the measures announced and observed Independence Day with no gatherings.

Residents in Mutare said the absence of gatherings did not diminish the importance of the day.

“We have become used to gathering at Sakubva Stadium every year for Independence Day celebrations but this year we did not do that. Personally, I am happy that the country is being conscious of this deadly disease. It does not mean the day is any less important.

‘‘We are still thankful to our liberation war heroes for bringing us the freedom we enjoy today,” said Mrs Laina Sithole from Dangamvura.

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