Buhera Uhuru festivities bring opposing sides together

Kuda Bwititi

Political Editor

THE opposition might be in the throes of internal strife but this did not stop most of its members from travelling to Buhera, Manicaland province, for the main 44th Independence Day commemorations on Thursday.

Some of the senior opposition members who turned up for the auspicious event, which was being held outside Harare for the third time, included CCC co-president Professor Welshman Ncube, Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume and legislators Mr Charlton Hwende, Ms Maureen Kademaunga, Mr Shakespeare Hamauswa and Senator Sengezo Tshabangu.

Also, Ms Linda Masarira, the leader of the Labour, Economists and African Democrats party; and Professor Lovemore Madhuku, who is president of the National Constitutional Assembly political party, were some of the other notable opposition leaders who shared the stage with Government officials at Murambinda B High School.

As has become the tradition, President Mnangagwa, in his keynote address, emphasised the importance of national unity in overcoming challenges and building a brighter future for all Zimbabweans.

“Our gathering here must, therefore, serve as a reminder that despite our differences in language, culture and traditions; despite of where we live in the four corners of Zimbabwe, we are one people; one unitary and united nation; with one rich and illustrious history.

“Tiri nyika imwe chete; tiri vanhu vamwe chete. Siyi lizwe linye; singa bantu banye (We are one country and one people),” said the President.

Mayor Mafume told The Sunday Mail that the presence of opposition members in Murambinda was not merely symbolic.

“We are keenly aware that to be in the positions we are, some people had to make sacrifices.

“We will not take for granted the fight for independence and the need to celebrate and commemorate our Independence Day,” he said.

“Yes, we might oppose each other in terms of how we improve the day-to-day lives of our people, but for me to be mayor and for us to have councillors is because of the sacrifices made towards our independence.”

Mr Hwende, who is the Member of Parliament for Kuwadzana East, said: “I attended the independence celebrations in Buhera.

“To me, we can differ but on Independence (Day), I go to pay my respects to the gallant fighters who paid the ultimate price to liberate us from the oppressive colonial regime.”

Other political parties also agree.

Prof Madhuku said Independence Day is an event for all Zimbabweans.

“It supersedes political differences. The oneness of a country is demonstrated by attending Independence Day, so we have attended the celebrations to demonstrate the fact that it’s a national event, not for a political party or leader,” said Prof Madhuku.

Sen Tshabangu said Independence Day was a powerful reminder that “progress is best achieved when the nation stands together”.

“I am here in Buhera because this is not a ZANU PF event, but a national event for all patriotic citizens,” he added.

Buhera West legislator Mr Tafadzwa Mugwadi, whose constituency proudly hosted the celebrations, said it was gratifying to see lawmakers putting their political differences aside.

He said the willingness of the Government and members of the opposition to set aside their differences for the sake of national unity offers a glimmer of hope for a more collaborative future.

“I was pleased to see so many legislators and officials from different parties. This shows that the President’s message is being heard. He has always preached unity in his speeches. Our President also created Polad (Political Actors Dialogue) for political parties to deliberate. This shows that he is sincere in uniting the nation.”

Mr Mugwadi added: “You will agree that under President Mnangagwa, even cases of political violence have been reduced. We went through the 2023 harmonised elections with relative peace because our President is always consistent in preaching about unity and that whatever differences we have, we are all Zimbabweans.”