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Hon Tongai Mafidi Mnangagwa-Member of Parliament for Harare South
As a nation we celebrate 42 years of independence, the 42 years have not been easy for our country.
I would like to honour those who sacrificed their lives to deliver Zimbabwe from the evil of colonialism, former President Robert Mugabe, General Tongogara, Herbert Chitepo, Joshua Nkomo, Leopold Takawira, Jason Moyo, General Chiwenga and our President ED Mnangagwa among many other sons and daughters of the soil who paid with their lives to deliver the Zimbabwe we have.
Zimbabwe has taken a leadership position in Southern Africa as far as achieving full independence is concerned. After 1980, the revolution was left incomplete because fundamental economic issues had not been addressed in full. The most controversial one was the Land issue which culminated in the pivotal Land reform programme.
While this was met with so much criticism and anger from our former colonisers and their allies, it was a turning point for Zimbabweans, and it ushered in a new era of economic emancipation.
It is unfortunate that the land reform attracted all sorts of economic sanctions on Zimbabwe deliberately structured to prevent Zimbabwe from enjoying the full benefits of Independence and economic freedom. It is very important to note that no other country in our region has achieved such a huge milestone of completely reclaiming land.
While certain narratives have been crafted to suggest that Zimbabwe chased away white farmers the truth is that all Zimbabwe sought to do was to achieve an equal society inclusive of both the native people and former white settlers, it is sad that our former colonisers where not prepared to watch the native people enjoy the same political and economic freedoms, they themselves enjoyed.
There has been a lot of challenges in our country for over 2 decades and most of them are a result of economic sanctions that we have endured as a nation, resulting in economic collapse and a divided society. We should use our independence anniversary to reflect on where we have come from as a country.
Our progress as a nation should be measured against the objectives of the liberation war and the purpose of us attaining independence.
While we are different people with different views, beliefs, affiliations and opinions there is a lot that binds us, we are Zimbabweans, we are custodians of a country blessed with vast resources and world acknowledged human capital.
We need to rally together as one nation in order to continue building our beloved nation so that generations to come will enjoy a better Zimbabwe that’s independent economically and politically.
It might not be much to some, but Zimbabwe is steadily progressing, the only thing we must do is look around our roads and cities as well as our agricultural production that is purely independent.
We need to start celebrating our victories as a nation no matter how small they might seem.
The more we are united and tolerant of each other the better we build our beloved nation.
Zimbabwe will be built by Zimbabweans on the foundation laid by our heroes who sacrificed their lives so that we can have a country we truly call ours.
To all my fellow countrymen, Zimbabwe will rise, and we will raise it together as one united people.
To my fellow leaders, let us lead our fellow citizens with honesty, dignity and respect. Let us fulfil the mandate given to us by the citizens.
As we celebrate our hard won independence during Easter,
we recall the thoughts and ideals of Jesus Christ and the emphasis on social justice as well as compassion. May the spirit of joy and brotherhood be furthered in our society.
Happy Independence Zimbabwe, the Great House of Stone: may God Bless everything and everyone Zimbabwean.
Online Reporter