adminThe Herald, 18 September, 1981
WHITES still living in “Rhodesia” and black puppets used by foreign elements to breed chaos in Zimbabwe will taste the Government’s wrath, President Banana said yesterday at Chindunduma Youth Academy near Shamva.
“I am not supposed to talk politics,” the President admitted, “but I think I have a duty to warn.”
He was addressing students during his first official tour of the academy, which has taken the lead in making agriculture a compulsory subject for about 2 500 primary and secondary school pupils at the co-operative.
He was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Education and Culture, Senator Joseph Culverwell.
Said the President: “There are still many people living in ‘Rhodesia’. These people are not only whites — there are a few blacks too.”
The Government would not tolerate “negative elements trying to cause alarm and despondency”.
There were whites who refused to be “liberated” and “there are black puppets used by external forces to destabilise our independence”.
The implications of the policy of reconciliation were being misinterpreted in certain quarters, he said. This negative attitude was imposing constraints on the Prime Minister’s efforts to create a non-racial society.
“Let us warn all negative forces that they must cease subversive activities once and for all,” said the President. “We have patience and patience has a limit.”
People of all races were welcome in Zimbabwe provided they abide by the law.
The country was lucky to have a dynamic Prime Minister “who has no parallel in the history of this continent — in fact in any country in the world”.
If anyone has evil intentions or ideas, they will be disappointed,” said the President. “I am trying to help white people to see the light.”
He toured the academy with Mr John Frost, project leader of the Scandanavian-based Development Aid from People to People which is funding the primary school unit.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
Following the country’s independence in 1980, the former Prime Minister and President Robert Mugabe, implemented a policy of reconciliation. The policy was aimed at fostering national unity and healing the divisions that had arisen during the colonial era and the subsequent liberation struggle.
The policy of reconciliation was motivated by a desire for national unity after independence but faced significant challenges due to historical mistrust among white Zimbabweans who feared losing their status and property rights amidst changing political dynamics.
However, despite its intentions, many white Zimbabweans perceived this policy with skepticism and often disregarded it, hence the remarks by former President Banana.
Online Reporter