adminTHIRTY-FIVE years ago, today, as Zimbabwe transitioned towards Independence, President Mugabe, then Prime Minister, outlined his vision for black workers.Blacks would be promoted and whites had to learn to work under their former subordinates.
The Herald of April 9, 1980 reported:
The Prime Minister Mr Mugabe, envisages quick promotions for blacks in the armed forces and worker participation in management.
In an interview published in the April edition of Africa Magazine, Mr Mugabe also said it was necessary to take immediate steps to abolish racial discrimination in the Public Service.
“It may not be expressly stipulated, but those who select people have tended to emphasise the phenomenon of white management in the Public Service,” he said
“That has to go, and we will bring in a system of quick promotion.”
Mr Mugabe added: “Similarly in the armed forces we would like to see our men rapidly rise to the level of commanders, so that there has to be an acceptance in the system that black people can become senior soldiers.”
Rhodesia’s whites must be prepared to work under blacks where promotion occurred, he said
Mr Mugabe continued: “In some cases it will be necessary to ensure that the worker can be in control by way of profit-sharing in those industries where we decide private enterprise should continue.”
The present unemployment situation was “quite unacceptable” but it would take time to correct.
“However we believe we can alleviate by encouraging the resettlement programme as this will remove a substantial number of people from the cities to the land.”
Meanwhile, the party announced the change of colonial names to be done before Independence Day.
The publicity secretary, Mr James Dzvova said the government should introduce some “cosmetic changes” pertaining to the use of “more acceptable African place names.”
He suggested these changes : Salisbury (Harare); Enkeldoorn (Chivhu) ; Victoria Falls (Mosiyatunya); Chatsworth (Makaure); Featherstone (Masarirambi); Marandellas (Marondera); Umtali (Mutare); Umvuma (Mvuma); Wankie (Hwange); Selukwe (Shurugwe); Gwelo (Gweru); Sipolilo (Chipuriro); Sinoia (Chinhoi); Belingwe (Mberengwa); Umniati (Munyati); Chibi (Chivi); Buhera (Uhera); Mashaba (Mashava); Chilimanzi (Chirimuhanzu); Umniati River (Munyati River); Umsweswe River (Muzvezve River); Sabi River (Save River), Hunyani River (Mhanyame River); Makambusi River (Mukuvisi River); Lundi River (Runde River); Devuli River (Deure River); Sabakwe River (Zivagwe River); Umfuli River (Mupfure River).
Mr Dzova also said the following towns should be renamed: Fort Victoria, Hartley, Plumtree, Melsetter, Hunters’ Road; Bromley, Melfort, Mount Darwin and Darwendale.
“ZANU appeals to the present government to appoint a commission of inquiry which will go into the matter of place names as a matter of urgency,” he said.
Online Reporter