adminhad latent and inviolable lessons that need to be highlighted.
In a bid to stake their opportunistic claim in the unraveling crisis in their country, the former Libyan Ambassador Mr Taher Elmegrahi and a group of his like-minded countrymen, chose to dramatically renounce their allegiance to the government of the Brother Leader Muammar Gadaffi by contemptuously burning the country’s national flag together with the portrait of their leader.
Through this act, the ambassador effectively renounced his subservience to the Brother Leader and simultaneously assumed allegiance to the belligerent National Transitional Council (NTC). Others could argue that he had become a “sell out”. It was a diplomatically pregnant gesture that unceremoniously earned the pejorative emissary a 72 hour ultimatum to leave Zimbabwe as the host government refused to sup with this whimsical representative who had defected to a legally non-existent NTC government. By burning his country’s flag, the ambassador had practically severed the umbilical cord that accorded him his diplomatic privileges and thus had become a persona non grata.
From this diplomatic debacle, this article seeks to capture the folly of undermining a national flag and henceforth highlight that a national flag is a sacrosanct national emblem that deserves unwavering respect and eternal preservation. No one can have the luxury of adulterating a national flag and just walk away. The national flag significantly captures and duly expresses the history, heritage and aspirations of a country and no one should be allowed to deliberately undermine it.
In our context, the significance of our flag was aptly captured during our independence celebrations at Rufaro Stadium on 17 April, 1980 when the British were obliged to lower their flag and duly allow us to hoist our own flag. The new flag symbolised our history and aspirations, which were starkly divorced from the imperial aspirations embodied in the Union Jack.
Our flag encapsulates our sovereignty, dignity and honour as a nation. It is the highest honour we accord to our fallen heroes and that is why we drape their caskets with it. It is also the ultimate emblem used by Zimbabweans representing the country at various international forums.
Unbeknown to others, that is the reason why President Mugabe constantly honours those Zimbabweans who excel at various international forums. The President will be celebrating and acknowledging their heroic exploits and dexterity that resulted in our flag being raised higher in a competitive clutter of other national flags. Priceless efforts by such people as Kirsty Coventry, Steven Muzhingi, Munyaradzi Chidzonga and a host of others who have managed to proudly raise our flag high, are duly recognised for their inherent contribution to the country’s standing in the global village.
In light of this, it is disheartening and vexatious to find some mischievous and misguided individuals operating under the banner of the secessionist Mthwakazi Liberation Front disdainfully burning our flag in South Africa. This was purely a provocative and treasonous act that even saw some of their senior members like the Organising Secretary Max Mkandla shamefully distancing their selves from such an unfathomable act. Such behaviour shows total disrespect for our country, its people, history and aspirations. In the same vein, it is mind boggling to find companies that refuse to fly our national flag at their premises. While the law stipulates that all companies should display the national flag at their offices, some flagrantly refuse to abide by such stipulations.
More so, a stroll in both the central business district and industrial areas reveals that there is a cornucopia of companies that shamelessly hoist extremely tattered rags which they would want to pass as national flags. This is totally unacceptable.
In this era of revolutionary programmes like the indigenisation and empowerment policy, great emphasis must be placed on encouraging companies to exhibit their loyalty to Zimbabwe. There is no better way of doing this than to ensure that each and every company premise is graced with a decent national flag.
These national flags are sold at a modest price of US$25, which makes it affordable for any patriotic or unpatriotic entity or individual to acquire one or replace those that are worn out. After all, it should not escape our minds that this flag is priceless and no amount of money can by its inherent value.
Those that manufacture and distribute this national paraphernalia are also urged to supply durable flags that can withstand the vagaries of weather for an extend period of time.
It is disappointing and rather a setback to individuals and companies to buy flags that do not last even for a month. The profit making principle should not drive manufacturers to compromise on the quality of flags. It should be underscored that as chronicled by the colours of our flag, the right to hoist this flag did not come on a silver platter.
It came after a prolonged period of intensive and bloody struggle against colonialism. So much blood, shown by the red colour on the flag, was shed for us to be able to freely wake up and hoist this flag. The onus is therefore upon us to simply show our unwavering gratitude to those who sacrificed their lives by raising our flag higher from wherever we are.
Online Reporter