Celebrate, Uhuru is here

THE day is now upon us! This Tuesday, Zimbabweans here and all over the world celebrate our 43rd Independence Day. And, indeed, we have every reason to do so in style! This country has remained standing regardless of the challenges it has encountered over the past few decades, many of which have already been overcome under the Second Republic!

The main festivities are set for Mt Darwin, Mashonaland Central, becoming the second to be hosted outside the traditional venue of Harare, in line with the mantra “Leaving no one and no place behind”, which is being spearheaded by President Mnangagwa himself.

Zimbabwe gained independence on April 18, 1980, following a bitter struggle and supreme sacrifices by the country’s sons and daughters.

The theme “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo; Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo”, is a reflection of the enormous transformation and development going on in the country under the Second Republic, through largely homegrown strategies and resources.

The celebrations are also happening with greater vigour, given the long list of successes the Second Republic has achieved, for instance, the robust input schemes and mechanisation programmes that have helped the agriculture sector emerge stronger and break records left, right and centre.

Last year alone, the country achieved a record wheat harvest as farmers delivered more than 326 687 tonnes to the Grain Marketing Board, representing close to 90 percent of the projected output of 380 000                 tonnes.

Thanks to the Second Republic, this is the highest-ever output of the crop since commercial production began in the 1960s.

This goes to confirm that land ownership by the black majority is paying off.

Any development-oriented Zimbabwean has every reason to celebrate.

Under President Mnangagwa’s stewardship, more than 22 000 kilometres of roads had been reconstructed and extensively rehabilitated under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme 2 (ERRP 2) by December 2022, and more work is currently underway.

We applaud Government for issuing contracts to local companies. Four out of the five contractors under ERRP 2 are owned by black Zimbabweans.

This clearly demonstrates that “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo; Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo”.

In line with the quest to encompass everyone, Government’s devolution agenda has indeed facilitated the establishment of people-centred governance systems around the country’s 10 provinces.

Zimbabweans from across the political spectrum have all benefitted in one way or the other, as the Second Republic has moved with speed and robustness to facilitate community-led development.

We applaud the Second Republic for continuing to churn out people-centric policies so that every Zimbabwean enjoys the fruits of independence.

We also encourage every Zimbabwean to be progressive and support Government policies meant to better the lives of the masses.

Cheap politicking, that of speaking badly about the country, will only reverse the gains of our hard- fought independence.

Those who have been calling for sanctions must now wake up and come to the party.

Let us all unite as we celebrate this important day.

Every Zimbabwean should continue to honour those who fought for the country’s liberation, both living and those who passed away.

The youth should take advantage of empowerment programmes being crafted by the Second Republic, for total economic transformation and creation of a better and sustainable future.

Let this day continue to unite us. Whatever our colour, tribe, age, gender, language or religious belief, the uniting factor is we all remain Zimbabweans.

Let us not trade our freedom for a few trinkets, but continue to value the efforts put by those who emancipated us from colonial bondage.

Zimbabwe belongs to every Zimbabwean, and geographical boundaries cannot separate us.

Happy Independence Day!