The Sunday Mail
Editor’s Brief
Victoria Ruzvidzo
Greetings readers. I pray you all had a wonderful Christmas Day yesterday and that the festive mood has spilled into today as we continue to make merry and be thankful to God for the gift of Jesus Christ.
Going by the amount of shopping I witnessed over the past few days, many are indeed having a good time and that is at it should be. Covid-19 has this time not been allowed to subdue celebrations. It did not dictate the pace this time around, at least not in this part of the world.
Omicron has been threatening to bring in a fourth wave, but we thank God that has not happened and we pray it will not happen. Obviously we shall not let the guard down. We must continue to mask up, sanitise and keep the requisite social distance even as we enjoy the festivities. Large gatherings remain a no-no.
The tempo is definitely up this year, buoyed by healthier pockets. The civil servant bonus, increased business, strong results from most companies and the die-hard nature of Zimbabweans have all connived to bring a louder and cheer to the festivities.
Of course we commiserate with the families of those that perished near Mutare on Friday when a Beta bus collided with a tanker. This happened only hours before Christmas Day as travellers sought to be with their families for the festive season.
We mourn with their loved ones.
It also behoves us to say hats off to all men and women who have not had the “luxury” of taking time off to indulge, but are working to ensure the country’s engine is adequately oiled. Those in the health sector and other emergency services, the police and the entire security sector, transport providers, shop assistants, the informal sector and many others that are at work we appreciate you.
We commend their sacrifice and selfless attitude. Emergency services are quite critical particularly at this time of the year. When the number of accidents and other freak incidents occur. These men and women ensure a peaceful and healthy environment – key ingredients for the festive season.
In our own way, we can make it up to them through material and emotional support.
In the same vein, we applaud those that have applied the true spirit of Christmas to share with the needy.
A few years ago I was really touched by a young girl from West Africa who was asked by an international news agency reporter what she would want for Christmas. In the most innocent and sweetest of voices she said bread. My heart sank. I asked myself if someone would be so poor to the extent of asking for bread at Christmas.
I was awakened to the reality that chances were high this child and many others had not tasted bread that whole year and were, therefore, looking forward to the festive season so they could have bread of all things.
There are too many things we take for granted. So it would be great if we all extended a hand to the needy in our families and communities. No gift is too small. Someone needs even the left over meal.
Some children on the street have not had a hot meal in months so they would gladly welcome warm food, clothes, shoes, a blanket or anything we can give. It would make a world of difference.
Unity
Perhaps it is also fitting that Unity Day falls in the same week as Christmas. The Unity Accord is of inestimable value. The two parties — ZANU PF and ZAPU — forged a union after some rigorous negotiations. Both subordinated selfish interests for national ones. That is instructive. National interest supersedes all.
A house or a country, cannot develop to the extent it can if it is divided. We maybe different,in ethnicity, religion, colour, region, language, height but ultimately we are one people with a common destiny.
A united people will triumph. We are bound by a common goal,we must peacefully co-exist.
There is even unity in diversity! All voices are heard, to differ is not to hate, even in business and economic circles, For as long as we realise we are one family, notwithstanding any apparent differences, we are good!
Indeed the accord gave us the best platform to build on our togetherness after independence and as a result a lot more was and has been achieved as a result. National development picked up pace and the dark cloud of animosity that hovered over the country was taken away.
The Second Republic has also come out in full force to foster unity and peace, no wonder much has been achieved in a short space of time, particularly in terms of infrastructure development.
We ought to embrace and celebrate the unity accord and its significance. This day each year offers us another chance of taking stock of where we came from and where we are in this attainment and pursuit of unity of purpose. For that to carry any significance we must understand the purpose of unity.
We get more work done, more targets attained and we live happily and peacefully with each other.
The benefits of unity can never be over emphasised and as a progressive country we stand to gain much by living and working together in unison.
Are we consistently and sustainably putting up a united front as individuals, at corporate and national level? We have much to achieve as a nation and the best way to attain any of our individual and common goals is by not compromising on the spirit of unity. Indeed, how great and wonderful it is when brethren dwell in unity.
There is no task too hard, no standard to lofty to attain, no mountain too high and no valley too low if only we do all with the same heart, the same mind and the same purpose.
Let us continue to enjoy the festive season as we also mellow in the prospects that lie ahead. The New Year beckons.
In God I Trust!
Twitter handle: @VictoriaRuzvid2; Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; WhatsApp number: 0772 129 992.
