‘Coming together is a must’

Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri

Thirty-six years after the founding leaders of our national independence movement, Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe and Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo, signed the Unity Accord on December 22, 1987, Zimbabwe celebrates her national unity.

This historic occasion marked the start of a new path towards the creation of a prosperous, unified, stable and democratic country. I send my best wishes to every Zimbabwean who is putting forth great effort to create a cohesive and peaceful country on this National Unity Day.

You have taken heed to the clarion call by His Excellency the President and First Secretary of Zanu-PF Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa that; “Nyika inovakwa nekutongwa nekunamatirwa nevene vayo.”

The Unity Accord doused the flames of disunity and armed conflicts which had afflicted our young nation.

These birth pangs remind us all that we must find a homegrown solution to our problems and that this can only be found in our unity. The great African statesman, Kwame Nkrumah penned that:

“The forces that unite us are intrinsic and greater than the superimposed influences that keep us apart”.
The most precious of all the blessings bestowed upon our country is unquestionably national unity.

Along with prosperity, it has given us as a people a sense of fortitude in the face of threats to our independence and national security.

Today, even as we celebrate, let us not forget the vision for Zimbabwe bestowed on us by our founding fathers.

 

This is a picture of a united and prosperous nation where all people from all walks of life could live in peace and tranquillity.

On this National Unity Day, we have the chance to remember the tremendous progress made by our visionary leader Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa towards promoting; unity, peace, and development as well as to affirm the innate strength of our country. Zimbabwe has emerged as a symbol of enduring peace and stability as a consequence of the Unity Accord.

Not only do we celebrate national unity, but we also owe it our wholehearted devotion. The Unity

Accord serves as a reminder to everyone that continuing to be committed to a process based on inclusion, integration, and reconciliation is the only way to protect Zimbabwe’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

Under the wise leadership of His Excellency, The President Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, the Zanu-PF-led Government has ensured that no one and no community is left behind.

Coming together is a must. As a people, we are one. Zimbabwe is our birthplace. We have to be watchful and zealously guard our national unity.

Any cracks or resentful memories from the past are always ready to be exploited by our enemies and their proxies. As a cohesive people, we must remain strong and unwavering. According to the old adage, “divided we fall, united we stand.”

I wish you all a wonderful National Unity Day.

l Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri is Zanu-PF National Chairperson and Minister of Defence