dyton mupawaendaThe Herald, December 22, 1989
PRESIDENT Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique yesterday hailed the unity between PF-Zapu and Zanu (PF) and said it would help Zimbabweans gain a new impetus towards overcoming economic and social problems.
In a solidarity message to the Zanu (PF) National People’s Congress, President Chissano said the creation of many parties meant that people spent most of their time fighting for power and devoting less time to developing the country.
The congress, which formally united the two parties which struggled for Zimbabwe’s independence, opened a new era of hope in the history of the country.
“The combined action in a growing unity is a decisive step forward in the process of consolidating the nation and defeating the ethnic, regionalist or racial influences that oppose the process.”
The battle for the socio-economic development of the people in Southern Africa required that the countries of the region strengthen their internal unity.
“This congress also represents an important moment in the process of regional unity, a unity which must continue to be our strategic weapon and the essential source of our strength.”
President Chissano said Mozambique had succeeded in uniting the liberation movements into the Frelimo Party. “We are happy that you do not have divided friends in Zimbabwe.”
Zimbabweans were now able to speak with one voice, a united voice which would be respected throughout the world.
President Chissano said he had many friends from both PF-Zapu and Zanu (PF) whom he had known since 1963. He later led the delegates in singing revolutionary songs.
The war of aggression waged against Mozambique by MNR bandits was not a part of the East-West conflict, as enemy propaganda had tried to make out.
The aggression was an integral part of the Pretoria regime’s strategic concept for prolonging the existence of apartheid and perpetuating its hegemony over the region.
Cde Chissano praised the prompt and unequivocal response of the Zimbabwean people to the aggression responded and said it had been a decisive contribution to the unity of the people of Southern Africa.
The Zimbabwean armed forces’ participation in the struggle against the MNR bandits could not be seen as motivated only by the defence of Zimbabwean national interests.
Their participation was a continuation of the close collaboration in the common struggle for freedom initiated in 1963, “when we planned together and together sought how best to use our few resources to launch the armed national liberation struggle”.
The massacres perpetuated by Mr Ian Smith’s killers, who eliminated hundreds of Zimbabweans and Mozambicans in Nyadzonya, Tembwe, Chimoio and other places, were carried out with the active participation of MNR bandits, anti-patriotic Mozambicans who were an integral part of the racist Rhodesian army.
Their aim was to prevent Zimbabwe’s independence and to make Mozambique’s independence impossible.
“How then could we not be together today in the Consolidation of our independence, won through a common struggle?”
President Mugabe, while welcoming President Chissano, said Zimbabwe’s participation in defence of Mozambican sovereignty was a noble cause.
“But some might say it’s Mozambique’s war, the war is in Mozambican territory but if Mozambique fell to the enemy, who will be next, and once again we will come under colonialism.”
LESSONS FOR TODAY
Today, the people of Zimbabwe commemorate 36 years of unity of purpose. Although the Unity Accord was signed by former President Robert Mugabe and former Vice President Joshua Nkomo, it was an agreement meant to be enduring, all encompassing and not cause divisions among Zimbabweans, irrespective of political affiliation, race, ethnicity, gender and religion.
• Unity is a vital component of our daily lives. It fosters peace which allows people to come together and focus on the bigger picture.
• Today Zimbabwe is moving forward and developing in leaps and bounds because of the unity that was fostered in 1987, which brought together Zanu (PF) and PF-Zapu under one roof.
• Whenever people have differences it is important to sit down and discuss issues in a rational manner to ensure progress. The political leaders then sat down and found common ground.
• In the same vein, President Mnangagwa was able to foster dialogue with different leaders of opposition political party under the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) because in as much as people may have different views politically we all remain Zimbabweans with a common goal to see the country prosper.
Online Reporter