The Sunday Mail
Leroy Dzenga
Senior Reporter
INDEPENDENCE happens in phases.
The first phase is the ability to escape from the shackles that would have kept a people in bondage.
After escaping from oppression, an element of introspection follows, which often entails asking why certain things are the way they are.
Since 1980, Zimbabwe has held its main Independence celebrations in Harare, while other provinces held auxiliary events modelled along the same lines as the main festivities.
This was the culture for 41 years.
However, this year, President Mnangagwa and his administration decided to break the mould and take the 42nd Independence celebrations to Bulawayo, the country’s second-largest city.
This marked the beginning of a new culture that will define the country’s future commemorations.
“This year’s celebrations are historic and extraordinary in that they are the first in which the main commemorations are being held outside the capital city of Harare.
As per the promise of the Second Republic, the days of Harare being “bambazonke” are now behind us,” said President Mnangagwa in Bulawayo on Monday.
He went on to explain the reasons behind the new inclusive approach.
“We are strengthening our unity, enhancing national cohesion and entrenching peace within our country, brick by brick, stone upon stone.”
At Friday’s ZANU PF Central Committee meeting, the President intimated that other events like Heroes and Defence Forces commemorations will also be decentralised in the true spirit of devolution.
“The gradual decentralisation of other national events such as the Defence Forces Day will go a long way towards connecting our people in various parts of the country, especially the youth, to broader national programmes. This will in turn help raise their political awareness, consciousness, patriotism and loyalty,” said President Mnangagwa.
The impact of this sea change in policy is likely to have a far-reaching impact if testimonies from Bulawayo are anything to go by.
Bulawayo Mayor Councillor Solomon Mguni said businesses made rich pickings as a result of the Uhuru celebrations.
“The business community is very grateful because such events tend to boost activity. For us, this is really a big stepping stone as we prepare to host other big events, more so with the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) coming next (this) week,” he said.
Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube also agrees.
“This was not a small task, and, as you even saw, the displays by various groups and organisations, it was all excellent. We did things together and the attendance was great.
“You in the media also played a huge role in raising awareness and telling the Independence story in full,” she said.
Bulawayo artistes, who for many years had to travel to Harare to entertain dignitaries at these grand events, also hailed the new approach.
IYASA director Mr Nkululeko Dube told The Sunday Mail that they have performed at national events for about two decades, but last week’s Independence celebrations stood out.
“It was an honour. It was like an overdue homecoming.
“Ever since the inception of galas, we have been performing, but had never performed in front of our people in such a setting,” said Mr Dube.
He said the plan to take national events to different towns and cities is a boon for artistes.
President Mnangagwa’s vision of realising an upper middle-income economy by 2030 also emphasises the need for inclusivity and leaving no one behind.
This is not mere rhetoric, as provinces and districts are now getting funds to pursue projects which are a priority to them.
Scholars believe the move has the potential to enhance national cohesion.
Political analyst Dr Gift Gwindingwe said, “It is a move in the right direction. We no longer talk about certain regions and dialects taking precedence over others.
“All regions feel part of the country.
“It eventually leads to national infrastructure development as the national leadership gets to visit a place, feel its pulse and appreciate issues that may be underreported.
“Such forums become a direct forum for people to engage with the national leadership and this creates a more accessible leadership.
“When decisions are made, the people do not feel like they are coming from the big city to them, but they relate closely with national programmes.”
The Second Republic has been consistently pushing to ensure that Harare is not the be-all and end-all of Zimbabwe.
Recent events have shown the political will to decentralise.
When a democracy is willing to learn and unlearn, it shows its maturity.
Perhaps it is true what they say that life begins at 40 and the years that follow are full of wisdom.
