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The Herald, 20 December, 1989
THE two-year-old Unity Accord between Zanu (PF) and PF-Zapu has now been finally sealed, the President and First Secretary of the united Zanu (PF), President Mugabe, told more than 5 000 delegates attending the National People’s Congress in Harare yesterday.
Presenting the party’s Central Committee report when he opened the five-day congress, Cde Mugabe said they were meeting joyfully and in the spirit of celebration because they had reached a milestone.
The people had scored a great victory in favour of principled, purposeful unity and against the parochial and inherent negative forces of tribalism, regionalism, racism and reaction.
“We meet today and on the three days ahead of us to put the final seal on the great progress achieved in the last two years to make the word flesh and to turn theoretical declarations into concrete deeds,” the President said in his opening remarks.
“We meet, truly, as one and as a united people who share a common commitment and determination to safeguard and defend the sovereignty of our nation and to improve the lot of our people within the framework of our party, the new Zanu (PF). This is, then, a victory congress.”
The unity agreement was signed by President Mugabe and Senior Minister Dr Joshua Nkomo on December 22, 1987.
It spelt out the steps to be taken to bring the merger fully into the light of day at all levels of the party structure.
The accord also set out the salient principles upon which the new united Zanu (PF) was to be based, taking into account the two parties’ pre-existing commonality in the prosecution of the armed struggle that created the new Zimbabwe.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
- Unity Day is an important day on the local calendar hence it was declared a holiday.
- Whenever people negotiate it is important to sign off to ensure that all the boxes have been ticked.
- President Mnangagwa addresses members of the Zanu (PF) Central Committee on the eve of the Unity Day. We are sure that he will reinforce the philosophies and mantras that he started at the dawn of the Second Republic, namely, Zimbabwe is open for business; engagement and re-engagement; Zimbabwe – A friend to all, an enemy to none; inclusivity, etc. This will ensure that the country remains on a positive growth and development trajectory.
Online Reporter