Independence must count

Editor’s Brief
Victoria Ruzvidzo

I have always known that freedom for Zimbabwe did not come on a silver platter.

Indeed I have heard and read of the liberation struggle and how thousands of people perished in their quest to liberate this country.

Never has it been as alive as it got last Saturday when I had the great honour and privilege to have a conversation with President Mnangagwa.

In fact the wide-ranging interview we had together with my sister Merit Munzwembiri from ZBC, gave me a clearer picture of who the President is and what he stands for.

When he narrated the sacrifices that he and others made during the war particularly when he was sentenced to death on January 2 1965 I developed goose bumps. It was really heart-rending as he recounted the physical and emotional trauma he endured when they were caught, and the tactics he used to withstand the pain that saw his friend die.

One had to really love their country that much to have gone through just a small fraction of what he experienced. Only a strong conviction, inner strength and stamina could they survive this.

The President confessed that what he revealed to us during the conversation was only the tip of an iceberg. His face told of immense physical and emotional pain endured through years of fighting for a liberated Zimbabwe.

But he remained determined to see the birth of the country and all its possibilities that we have today.

Indeed it took much for Zimbabwe to come about.

As we celebrate the 41st Independence anniversary today, we should indeed spare a thought for the sacrifices that brought Zimbabwe into existence. It is something we should never take for granted.

We should forever be grateful in speech and in deed.

On social media platforms we have witnessed people out-compete each other in criticising what they term an overdose of issues to do with the liberation struggle but no!  It is just a sign of ignorance and immaturity.

Those that come close to people who missed death by a whisker or those that were left crippled or lost their loved ones can never be naïve to the extent of trivialising the liberation struggle or to make a mockery of it.

On Saturday my heart sank as everything got so real right in my face. Zimbabwe’s number one citizen demonstrated that he is made of sterner stuff.

Surviving the gallows is definitely not for small boys.

No wonder he could survive the trip to Mozambique in the thick bush as he ran for dear life yet again, after he was fired from Government in 2017. Small wonder he exhibits amazing passion to see this country make it economically.

No wonder he has a vision for an Upper Middle income economy by 2030, a strategy to ensure every Zimbabwean enjoys a decent life. This is at the crux of his vision and it gave him staying power during the war.

The President speaks with such passion and conviction on the empowerment of his nationals.

He and many others put in the works and it is only logical that they desire so much a better Zimbabwe and are offended by anyone and anything that stands in the way of progress.

Indeed as we celebrate independence today. We must do so in the full knowledge that we are free indeed and it took much pain for us to be who we are today. I am not a born-free but after my interactions with the President I indeed plead ignorance when it comes to the work done and the sacrifices made.

And yes Mr President it wasn’t easy at all.

Of course we are not yet where we would want to be as a country but believe me much of the job was done already in the 2nd Chimurenga.

That one can waltz from one end of First Street in Harare to the other freely is something we ought to be grateful for, for starters.

It was unheard of during colonial times and it took total  sacrifice for a black person to be allowed into the CBD, barring the recent abuse where some have even gone to the extent of roasting mealies in First Street.

Zimbabwe’s war veterans, our heroes and heroines, alive or interred, need to be held in high regard. They made today possible. They brought in hope and opportunities that are before us to exploit. The onus is on us to firmly hold the baton stick and ensure we race forward in this relay.

Being born-free ceases to be a mere title but a descriptive phrase and a label that should be taken with its full meaning.

The least we can do is to give of our best to develop this country.

It is our duty to take this economy to the next levels.

The return on investment must be huge for those that sacrificed to usher in freedom.

In 1980 we used to sing songs such as “Bereka sub tiende chauya chauya”. I was in early primary and I enjoyed such songs, oblivious of the full meaning of the war. But 41 years after Independence we have come of age hence the realisation that we need to invest our all in making Zimbabwe shine again.

We surely cannot afford to trash this country or go on an international smear campaign, worst of all inviting sanctions upon ourselves. We pity such levels of ignorance.

We all need to step up to the plate and give our all.

Those involved in any manner that sabotages this economy must take the opportunity today to repent of their actions and take up their pick and shovels to rebuild Zimbabwe.

There is a place for everyone.

The greatest step after independence is the land redistribution.

At least 500 000 occupy fertile land on which they are engaged in productive activities.

We have a few bad apples that have decided to watch grass grow and wither on their pieces of land from one season to the next, deriving satisfaction from the fact that they have offer letters.. The land audit done over the last few years has identified such farms and we will soon see a new distribution process.

We understand that at least 200 000 people have applied for land.

Zimbabwe’s economy is agro-based and owning land is central to economically empowering the majority.

The Government has scored highly in this regard and is an envy of many on the continent.

A number of countries are trying to emulate Zimbabwe’s case.

Land is a key factor of production and it is more rewarding to individuals and the nation at large that every inch be utilised productively.

We owe it to those that sacrificed their lives. We also owe it to posterity that the country flourishes and we leave a legacy and an inheritance.

As we celebrate Uhuru today, it is the most opportune time for all of us to reflect on what we have and haven’t done, and the contributions that we can make to develop this country.

The opportunities are abound and we have no excuses to make. If our elders could give their all, even in the most difficult of circumstances, we have no excuse.

We need to be resolute in our desire to make things work.

We need to make impactful decisions that will make Zimbabwe a better place.

Opportunities have been created in the mining sector where many have ventured into and are operating viable.

Such sectors as tourism, manufacturing and many others have presented opportunities too.

Granted, the economy is experiencing some challenges, compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic but there are ways to circumvent these and take Zimbabwe to the next level.

The macro-economic environment is softening, though there is still much work to be done. This demands that we make responsible decisions in the way we do things.

Errant behaviour has no place in this economy.

We also need to be deliberate in our fight against corruption and other vices that have seen the country lose billions of dollars in potential revenue and jobs.

Infrastructure needs to be maintained well so it can last longer.

Correct decisions must be made by households, communities, local authorities and the national economy at large to achieve growth.

Sacrifices have to be made. Our Independence must count.

Those that fought for this must feel that it was worth the effort and the pain they endured.

It is not too late to make amends where we erred.

Let us go ahead and change course where need be while consolidating the gains made so far. Government has gone all out to rebuild infrastructure and introduce policies that offer equal opportunities.

The National Development Strategy 1 promises a much better tomorrow. Let us run with it.

In God I Trust!

 

Twitter handle: @VictoriaRuzvid2; Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; WhatsApp number: 0772 129 992.