Time to get down to work: Samora Machel

The Herald, August 8 1980
ZIMBABWEANS must not expect changes overnight, but should be patient and give the new Government a chance to tackle the problems of underdevelopment, Mozambican President Samora Machel said yesterday.

And he warned workers that by resorting to strike action as they had done recently, they were playing into the hands of Zimbabwe’s enemies.

In an address yesterday to more than 40 000 people at the Rufaro Stadium, Cde Machel said now that the political struggle had been won, Zimbabweans should “go and do some work” in the fight against poverty, disease, illiteracy and hunger.

Amid chants and cheers, he said: “I want to make an appeal to you Zimbabweans: Be patient. While in Maputo we heard you were already complaining – that you were going on strikes.

“Are you helping your enemies to destroy your own Government? We need a lot of time my brothers . . . and don’t demand changes immediately. Let’s first go and do some work.

“People fought for your Independence, they died and sacrificed for it… so we cannot afford to spoil it now for the sake of a few selfish individuals.”

The bearded Frelimo President, who was given a tumultuous welcome when he arrived for the rally with the Prime Minister Mugabe, attacked British colonialism which he said had deprived the people of their culture, pride, national identity and freedom.

He also slated tribalism, racism, oppression and discrimination and called upon Zimbabweans to rid themselves of these ills, which were signs of “primitive men – men who had been overtaken by development and progress”.

Lessons for today
October 19 marked 34 years since the tragic death of Mozambique’s founding President Samora Moises Machel in a plane crash in Mbuzini, South Africa.

The special relationship between Zimbabwe and Mozambique was highlighted during President Machel’s first State visit to Independent Zimbabwe in 1980.

Zimbabwe’s liberation would have taken much longer had Mozambique not offered the facilities it did for the prosecution of the armed struggle.

President Machel’s presence in Zimbabwe gave him an opportunity to see how the new Government was settling in.

40 years of Independence and 34 years since the death of the revolutionary and pan-Africanist, whose legacy straddles the whole SADC region, Zimbabwe must reflect on the sacrifices made by Cde Machel and his people. Was this the Zimbabwe he wanted to see?