Online Reporter
Nduduzo Tshuma, Day Editor
THE youth bear the greater burden of carrying forward Zimbabwe’s ongoing struggle for economic emancipation, building on the political freedom secured by the nation’s forebears at Independence in 1980, Vice-President Kembo Mohadi has said.
The country celebrated 45 years of Independence on April 18 and the national celebrations were held in Gokwe, Midlands Province in line with the Second Republic’s devolution of national events.
President Mnangagwa presided over the national celebrations held under the theme, “Devolve and Develop Together. Towards Vision 2030,” while respective Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution led the provincial celebrations.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the just ended Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo on Thursday,
VP Mohadi emphasised that the independence celebrations should serve not only as a remembrance of the past but also inspire and unite the people, especially the youth, in shaping the future.
While the war of liberation delivered political freedom, VP Mohadi said, economic emancipation remains an ongoing struggle that the country’s youth must carry forward.
“We are still in a celebratory mood, the citizenry is celebrating the 45th anniversary of Zimbabwe’s Independence. It is a moment that serves as a reminder of the people of Zimbabwe’s journey to Independence in 1980.
“Special tribute is paid to the heroes and the heroines of this country, those that fought for the liberation of Zimbabwe so that in 1980, we get our Independence.
“When we celebrate, we reflect on their contributions as to what they did, where most of them lost their lives. The commemorations inspire us to move forward, to carry the torch forward from when they liberated us in 1980,” said VP Mohadi as he reflected on the long and painful road to Zimbabwe’s freedom.
He reminded the youth that the struggle was not simply for the right to vote, but for identity, dignity and land.
“We were fighting for our rights to be recognised as a people, universal suffrage, the right to vote, freedom and the right to have our land back. That was the key thing, our land that was taken from our ancestors without any compensation. These 45 years we are celebrating represent the efforts of the Government of Zimbabwe for the betterment of its citizenry.”
Turning his attention to the current generation, the Vice-President challenged young Zimbabweans to rise to the occasion and lead the second phase of the revolution, economic freedom.
“Our generation freed Zimbabwe from the bondage of colonialism. If you asked me what I did for Zimbabwe, I would tell you that I fought in the struggle and liberated Zimbabwe but if I ask most of you what you did for Zimbabwe, you would tell me ‘nothing’ because you did nothing,” said VP Mohadi.
He stressed that the new revolution does not require weapons, but rather a change of mindset and a commitment to self-belief.
“The next thing that we are going to look at is that we need to educate the young Zimbabweans first and foremost to recognise themselves as Zimbabweans, respect your culture and stop emulating cultures from elsewhere because your identity is that of being of Zimbabwean.
“Education becomes an integral part for you to know who you are and have that patriotism that drives you to further the ideals of the liberation struggle,” said VP Mohadi.
“Economic independence by the way does not need guns, you to go to the bush and is the most difficult revolution. To change your mindset, believe in your ability and believe in yourself.”
VP Mohadi praised the country’s educational shift to Education 5.0, which places emphasis on innovation, industrialisation, and self-reliance.
“Africa is the youngest continent in terms of the youngest people so we need you to value yourselves, value your country and value what your leadership did for you to become whatever you are today.
“We need to see you further that ideology until we reach a position that we are ‘now there.’ Zimbabwe has everything, we have given you the education that you so require. We moved away from the education that used to be given us by the colonialists and embarked on Education 5.0 which places emphasis on production, innovation and doing things for yourselves,” said VP Mohadi.
He said the innovation hubs at the country’s tertiary institutions testify to the success of Education 5.0 adding, “We put them to test during Covid-19, that we don’t have PPEs and they came with solutions in a short space of time, that is what we want from you.”
VP Mohadi said Zimbabweans are resilient people who have withstood adversity from the days of colonialism to economic sanctions at the turn of the millennium.
“We have managed to resist these sanctions for more than 20 years now and we are doing things for ourselves and I’m sure you will agree with me that we now have some people, those that have sanctioned us, coming to seek opportunities to invest in Zimbabwe and we are not going to say sorry to anyone.
“We want that resilience that your forebears had to be instilled in you so that you get this torch further and get what we want which is economic independence,” said VP Mohadi.
Bongani Ndlovu