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CERTAIN declaratory pronouncements have been disdainfully uttered about this land of ours by our erstwhile colonial masters, who never considered even the mere thought of majority rule. However, the determination of a youthful generation steered by a wise and mostly half-a-century-old leadership brought pressure to bear on the racist rulers until they capitulated.
Zimbabwe turns 36 years on Monday, and this is a major milestone in the history of this country. Much of the youth today fail to see the umbilical cord that ties them to the struggle for independence and some shirk their responsibility of contributing meaningfully to the development of the country by leaving that task to the older generation that they feel holds the key to the evolution of the struggle up to now.
Independence Day is a day of celebration, a day to be merry, and day to appreciate the nation state of Zimbabwe that came into being 36 years ago. It is also a time of reflection, of looking back and evaluating progress made, of looking each other in the eye and questioning our contribution to the state of affairs, and of casting our eyes on the horizon that beckons before us, carrying with it our future as a nation.
Our challenge to this nation is largely to the youth, a largely apathetic constituency but whose dormancy could be turned around to give even our economy the fillip it so desperately needs. Looking back, it shall be seen that the period between the 1960s and the 1970s, when nationalist fervour consumed a greater part of the continent, it was the young generation that gave form and impetus to the ideas being espoused then by what became our founding fathers at independence.
It is in this light that we urge the youth to see themselves as part of the solution that this country needs, and the bridge that will connect us with the future. This is how the youth of the past, some of whom are now called War Veterans, took up that responsibility to liberate the country from the shackles of colonialism.
The Government has played its part in many areas, though there is still more that it can still do to facilitate youth empowerment.A� However, this instant success generation tends to value products at the expense of process. We cannot be millionaires overnight and drive flashy expensive cars without undergoing the due process of sacrifice, stoic endurance, sticking to principles and being responsible.
Before Independence a few black entrepreneurs tried to make the best of the situation then but the most they could do was to open general dealer stores and run rural buses and bottle stores. Under a black government, we have seen the race advantage vanish and opportunities galore for the majority, with the youth in recent years being accorded several funding options through the banks.
Our youths seem unaware that what they consider their right to finance to their businesses, was fought for in a gruelling war by thousands of young people, some with even bigger dreams than theirs now. The best way to honour these gallant fighters is to ensure that their deaths were not in vain.
How many of the youths that accessed funding from the Government initiated schemes paid back their loans, if we may ask? And how many even intended to pay back in the first place? And was the money ever used for what their applications stated or it was used on fast cars and living some artificial lifestyles?
These are difficult but necessary questions that we should ask ourselves as young people, and honestly answer them.
We should reform or die. If our brothers and sisters had compromised their principles on the altar of expediency years ago, we could still be a colony.A� And by continuously ignoring sound financial and political advice, we open up the country to the dangers that our forefathers fought against since we could end up turning to our erstwhile colonisers, having abused our resources instead of using them to build this great country.
Let us picture Zimbabwe 36 years from now, and work towards that dream. Independent Zimbabwe was once a dream to a determined and foresighted generation. .
Online Reporter