adminVETERAN politician and Zanu PF Politburo member, Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube, has urged the nation to safeguard unity for future generations saying the Unity Accord did not benefit Matabeleland region only but the entire country.
Zimbabwe commemorates the 34th Unity Day anniversary tomorrow.
This year’s Unity Day commemorations are being held under the theme: “United Towards Vision 2030.”
The Unity Accord, signed between PF-Zapu and Zanu (PF) on December 22, 1987, is credited for ending post-independence political disturbances commonly known as Gukurahundi.
The Unity Accord, which was signed by former President, the late Cde Robert Mugabe and the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo, brought together erstwhile liberation movements of Zanu (PF) and PF-Zapu under the banner of Zanu-PF.
In an interview yesterday, Rtd Col Dube urged the nation to jealously safeguard the spirit of unity for future generations.
“As Zimbabwe, it very critical for us to safeguard our unity, which is a legacy that we should pass on to future generations. Our children should be taught on the importance of Unity Day as some of them don’t know its significance on our calendar,” said Rtd Col Dube.
“It is not just a holiday, but a day which we must honour as a nation. We must teach our children so that they clearly understand why it was declared a public holiday.”
Rtd Col Dube said since the signing of the Unity Accord, there has been tremendous progress in terms of socio-economic development as evidenced by ongoing infrastructural projects.
Government has accelerated the pace of major developmental projects in the previously marginalised Matabeleland region as President Mnangagwa is walking the talk in his promise that no part of Zimbabwe will be left behind in the Second Republic’s development agenda.
Most of the projects that had been stalled for years, are now at various stages towards completion, bringing the much-needed relief to locals.
Consistent with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and the country’s devolution thrust, the Government is making sure that development leaves no one behind in line with Vision 2030.
“The Unity Accord signed between PF-Zapu and Zanu (PF) did not only benefit Matabeleland region, but the entire country because it brought about peace, which is very critical for the development of our country. This agreement between the two revolutionary parties was a result of the problems that our country faced soon after Independence,” said Rtd Col Dube.
“Whenever people begin a process, there is what we call inevitable teething problems so Zimbabwe as a young nation went through the same era of teething problems where people, instead of solving their problems peacefully, they resorted to violence resulting in loss of lives.”
Rtd Col Dube said the focus should now be on rebuilding the country with everyone participating in the socio-economic development of Zimbabwe in line with Vision 2030.
“Our leaders Cdes Robert Mugabe and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo in their wisdom and from their own experiences, sat down and resolved to end the disturbances and unite the people. It is not true that PF-Zapu was swallowed by Zanu (PF) when the Unity Accord was signed, but two parties actually united into one,” he said.
Full article on www.herald.co.zw
Rtd Col Dube said for the country to continue enjoying the prevailing peace, Zimbabweans must build on the foundation of love and unity, a legacy left by Cdes Nkomo and Mugabe.
“Our two leaders (Cdes Nkomo and Mugabe) brought together the two warring parties together which resulted in peace and as nation we are now building on that foundation for the future of our country. The only thing other than unity is disunity and I don’t think as Zimbabweans we want disunity,” he said.
“People now have a greater and better understanding of each other regardless of tribe or region. Just like any other country, we will always have our own challenges one way or the other, but it important to know that we are one people.”
Rtd Col Dube said Unity Day should be commemorated as it ultimately defines that Zimbabweans are one people.
Online Reporter