admin
Ruth Butaumocho
African Agenda
Zimbabwe’s Independence celebrated on April 18 provided an opportunity for the outpouring of patriotic sentiment from different and diverse people.
The euphoria from the public a few days before April 18 and post congratulatory Independence Day message on various social media platforms were palpable.
One could be forgiven to conclude that Zimbabweans’ level of patriotism was explicably high.
However, the zeal and effort planted in these messages has since dissipated, hardly a week of the commemorations that brought thousands together in Mt Darwin, leaving many wondering if the messages were sincere and genuine, or it was mere grandstanding.
Such myopic thinking, and failure by some to resonate with the aspirations of Independence will never in any way dim the celebratory mood that permeated Mashonaland Central and the actual venue of the event, Mt Darwin, where thousands broke in song and dance as they celebrated 43 years of Zimbabwe’s independence.
People from all walks of life thronged the commemorations venue, some even days before the actual event on Tuesday, to ensure that they would not miss such a historic event.
The mere fact that the country’s leadership had decided to take the event to Mashonaland Central, famed for some of the biggest battles during the Second Chimurenga, was testimony’s to the leadership’s commitment to ensure that “no one and no place will is left behind”
One could feel the celebratory mood and a sense of patriotism, as thousands converged on the venue, with some having travelled for more than 15 kilometres on foot, to witness a potpourri of events unfolding before them.
To many, attendance was not in any way inspired by the football fete between the country’s two soccer giants, Highlanders and Dynamos, nor to witness the musical performance by a coterie of artists that had been lined up to provide entertainment to the multitude who had gathered for the event.
Their attendance was inspired by the need to commemorate and acknowledge selfless sacrifices, unparalleled patriotism and desire to see Zimbabweans living a dignified life by thousands of gallant sons and daughters who joined the liberation struggle to fight against white colonialism.
The liberation struggle resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives, people who never returned home to reunite with their families and loved ones.
Such selflessness cannot be taken for granted, hence the decision by many to set aside their political and personal difference and unite for a common purpose.
Within the thousands of gallant fighters who went to war were hundreds of women, who played a critical role to free Zimbabwe from the yokes of colonialism.
Like their male counterparts, hundreds of women took the arms and fought against men in fulfilment of the national desire to see the country independent, like other African nations which were enjoying their territorial integrity.
After the war came to an end, names of hundreds of women, who illuminated the struggle in their own right came to the fore, as both historians and academics sought to give recognition to their roles.
It may never be possible to list the thousands who remain unaccounted for even up to this day, hence the importance and symbolism of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Zimbabwe richly captures the role of women from different backgrounds who left their homes at the height of the liberation struggle to take up arms alongside their male counterparts.
In the early 1990s, there were attempts to rewrite the past and make it fuller and nuanced, but sadly the exercise was never successfully completed.
However, several names such as Maud Muzenda, Vivian Mwashita, Shuvai Mahofa, Julia Tukai Zvobgo, Victoria Chitepo, Sheba Tavarwisa, Joana Nkomo, Ruth Nomonde Chinamamo and Sunny Ntombiyelanga Takawira make up the list of heroines in Zimbabwe.
The figures are more than this list.
The history of Zimbabwe would not be complete without speaking about Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana, known as Mbuya Nehanda, among a litany of heroines, who helped shaped the liberation struggle narrative of this country.
Mbuya Nehanda was a powerful spirit medium and heroine of the First Chimurenga war against British settler colonialism.
She is one of the greatest heroines of our time who shaped and influenced the early African liberation struggle against colonialism.
The decision to commemorate her role in the liberation struggle through erecting her statue was not misplaced nor political grandstanding as many would want to believe.
In giving his insight on the decision to erect Mbuya Nehanda’s stature, a United Kingdom based political commentator, Dr Masimba Mavaza said: “Nehanda was ultimately chosen because she was a great canvas on which to project Zimbabwean values.”
She was a commander and a medium pushing the boundaries of knowledge and courage to her army. She went on to lead the Second Chimurenga spiritually from the grave.
And above all, she was a woman from humble origins whose meritocratic success captured the hopes and aspirations of a society oppressed and raised under fear.
It took the Nehanda courage to mount a successful rebellion called the Second Chimurenga. No amount of money can stop the bestowing of such an honour.
Zimbabweans know that it was “an augury of the future of these great lands, our very commander was the one who fought her way to success through spiritual and physical efforts, by the sword and by the spear, but persevering dignity.”
Being chosen ahead of Sekuru Kaguvi, was also an affirmation of the country’s endearment towards promoting gender equality, a development that is bearing fruit judging by the number of women who now hold powerful positions, not only in the Government, but even in the private sector.
Such developments can only be sustained within the principles of independence where everyone regardless of gender should be allowed to thrive and be accorded equal opportunities, something the country’s leadership has been working hard to achieve.
The hard-won independence the country enjoys today will not be safeguarded by outpouring of grandstanding sentiments, when it is convenient, but it will be sustained by hard work, oneness, patriotism and a sense to serve, even during the most turbulent times.
Feedback:[email protected]
Online Reporter