Online Reporter
Dr Obert Mpofu, Opinion
NATIONAL consciousness is a critical requirement for any nation’s aspirations. As Zimbabweans, we should not deviate from our shared sense of identity and belonging. We must embrace our shared common culture and experiences. Such an approach is the base for which we will build the nation that we so desire.
Zimbabweans should be awakened and become conscious of the unique realities of their nation and themselves as a people.
A nation can never be run nor will it prosper on autopilot. In fact, national consciousness has been widely regarded as the essential ingredient in creating a nation. But the mere act of creating a nation should not and must not be the end.
There is much that is required if people are to fulfil their aspirations. The nation needs to prosper, but it must do so by utilising the support of its people. It is the people who carry the nation on their backs and usher it into prosperity so that they can reap the rewards of such prosperity. This resonates with the common adage, “It is not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.”
In order for the nation to get to a position where it is able to fully cater for the needs of its people, the people must have put in a great deal of work in that endeavour. A nation’s success is born out of the toil of its people for the benefit of future generations. Without great sacrifice, a nation will not advance or go anywhere. Already, this nation is born out of sacrifice. The struggle for emancipation was very relevant to the cause of those who took part in it and emancipated this nation.
The struggle for economic emancipation was also ignited by this generation, but it now falls unto the youth to take it forward and ensure that we free our people economically. This is the struggle that our youth relate to the most. There is little time to waste as the world is moving at a faster rate than we can keep up, and we have a lot of catching up to do, so it is prudent that we act decisively to guarantee our future. The young ones learning from the seasoned veterans should put themselves in a position where they work to the best of their abilities to uplift our nation and ensure that our people are in a better state, socially and economically. This is why President Mnangagwa came up with Vision 2030 as a challenge to us all, particularly the upcoming generations to strive to improve our nation and the livelihood of our people.
Our people need to be conscious of the fact that whatever the Zanu-PF government conceives is meant to benefit them and improve their lives.
It is the people who will drive a nation towards its aspirations and towards prosperity. It is also a nation’s people that can be detrimental to its progress. Our people need not be detrimental to, or harm the national interest. Self-harm can be devastating. This is why it is important that our people develop an advanced level of self-consciousness. This self-consciousness is what will stimulate patriotism and work for the national good. If we cannot carry this nation on our shoulders, then we should be honest with ourselves in that we may very well not deserve it. A nation is its people, for it is the people that make up the nation and are responsible for its successes and failures.
There shall come a time when we will all be put to task and be required to name all the deeds we did to prosper this nation one by one, we should not be found wanting in that regard comrades. So, as we carry out our daily activities, we should not in any way act in ways that are detrimental to our beloved nation. We should at all times seek to protect it, for it is this nation that is home to our offspring and future generations and will guarantee our stay on this planet. Let us endeavour to ensure that we always act in the best interests of this our beloved nation.
Many a time, our people fail to realise that, our fate is in our very own hands and they spend much of their time on the immaterial.
There is no point in pursuing lost causes and acting to the detriment of the nation. Most of us assume that the responsibility of carrying this country forward lies with the politicians that are voted into office, but this is further from the truth. It is the average Zimbabwean who bears that responsibility and task to ensure that our nation is counted among those deemed to be headed in the right direction.
Zimbabwe has an abundance of great talent, resources and opportunities. We are blessed beyond measure. However, it is unfortunate that our people have not awaken to the endless possibilities that lie within our beloved land. Our people should not be blinded or side-tracked into scenarios that do not benefit them. They need to be conscious of the fact that all that matters is Zimbabwe and the prosperity of its people and nothing else. All else is irrelevant.
Dr Obert Moses Mpofu is an academic and the Secretary-General of Zanu-PF. He writes in his own capacity.
