By Rudo Saungweme
Independence Day in Zimbabwe is a day that every Zimbabwean young or old ought to respect and commemorate. Thanks to the liberation struggle every Zimbabwean knows what it means to be independent. Independent is when one is free to do whatever he or she pleases wherever he or she is.
On Thursday, the 18th of April, Zimbabwe will be celebrating 39 years of independence from former colonial rule. Zimbabweans from all walks of life always celebrate this day with respect and dignity. The independence came through priceless sacrifices of many men and women who perished in the liberation struggle in countless battles from within and outside Zimbabwe.
Everyone in Zimbabwe is entitled to celebrate this day irrespective of political, racial or religious divide, in peace and unity. The gallants sons and daughters of the soil brought the independence to everyone.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa speaking during an interview with the Sunday Mail on Saturday said that all parties would be treated with “dignity and the respect they deserve” during Independence commemorations.
“These are Zimbabweans, they are part of the machinery of Government, they are part of the machine, they are in Parliament, they are part of the institutions of the country, they are most welcome and we will give them the dignity and the respect they deserve,” he said.
During the celebration, the Government holds its usual ceremonial speeches and military parade along with the public air exhibition of fighter planes in the sky in the country`s capital, Harare. These celebrations are replicated in all the country’s ten provinces, allowing everyone to be part and parcel of this historic event.
Independence in Zimbabwe came on 18 April 1980 after the country suffered so many years under the hands of the British colonial master.
It was an arduous task to get where we are today. In 1923, what was then called “South Rhodesia” gained limited self-Government within the British Empire. After World War II, the small white minority in the colony took the reins of power, whereas power had been more shared earlier. From 1965, a rebellion led by the ruling white minority began, but the oppressed Zimbabweans demanded majority rule which came about in 1980 after years of fighting in the trenches.
The spirit of unity which reigned during the liberation struggle is wanted now more than ever.
There is need for people to unite and move the country forward despite differences which might exists. Zimbabweans must understand that they must dwell much on development than to waste time on political squabbles allowing our enemies to divide us, which has taken our beloved country backward in terms of progress.
This year’s Independence theme is “Zimbabwe @39: Embracing Devolution for Vision 2030”, which embodies Government’s commitment to vigorously implement decentralisation of power to local communities for economic prosperity.
Yes, the focus now should be our economic emancipation as the country forges ahead to attain a middle income economy by 2030.
Long live Zimbabwe and its independence, united we stand divided we fall.
