Independence theme unveiled

Harare Bureau
THE 35th Independence Anniversary on Saturday will be held under the theme: “Zimbabwe @35: Consolidating Unity, Peace and Economic Sovereignty”. Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Ignatius Chombo said the theme was inspired by the fact that at 35 years, Zimbabwe was accelerating the implementation of Zim-Asset which was the theme of the Zanu-PF 6th National People’s Congress held in December last year.

“We won independence 35 years ago so that we can enjoy sovereignty, but as a country, we’re in the middle of implementing the economic blueprint, Zim-Asset, which has been endorsed by the 6th National People’s Congress, that we now need to accelerate,” said Chombo.

He said it was imperative that the independence celebrations’ theme tallies with the economic blueprint.

“What inspired the government to come up with this theme was to have a theme pregnant with meaning,” he said.

“Independence reminds us of where we came from. The liberation struggle brought us unity, peace and sovereignty. For us to enjoy the unity, peace and economic sovereignty we’ve come up with homegrown measures to assist us get out of the economic quagmire.”

Chombo said Zimbabwe could enjoy economic sovereignty as espoused under the indigenisation policy anchored on Zim-Asset and buoyed by unity and peace.

“The independence brought unity and peace and now through peace we’re implementing the economic blueprint to free ourselves from the shackles of imperialism,” he said.

Chombo urged people from all walks of life to converge at various centres where the independence celebrations would be taking place.

He said everything was now in place for the celebrations, with buses already sourced to pick up people from the usual points as early as 6AM on Saturday to the various venues throughout the country.