The Sunday Mail
Editor’s Brief
Victoria Ruzvidzo
Mt Darwin was electric. One had to be there to understand the full meaning of this adjective.
The excitement was palpable and the huge turnout bore testimony to the relevance of this day.
Thousands and thousands turned up from across the cross-section of the populace.
It was a colourful occasion, underlined by the dressing and attires of the crowd.
This was a country in ecstatic mood.
The dances, music, displays and speeches were spectacular.
There was no room for negativity.
Everyone was moving in unison as we celebrated our glorious independence.
Unity is a fiduciary requirement for development. A people need to pull in the same direction, united by mutual aspirations and buttressed by common destinies.
The benefits accruing to Mt Darwin for hosting the Independence Day celebrations are huge. From infrastructural development to putting the district and the province at large under the spotlight of investors and other development partners.
Life will surely never be the same for this place in line with the leaving no one and no place behind mantra. Naturally other districts are spoiling for an opportunity to host the children’s party and Independence celebrations next year and beyond.
This is a great move by the President and his team. A game changer for real.
Tangible and sustainable development only takes place when there is unity.
It is a prerequisite for progression, it underpins and anchors successes. When we incessantly make reference to its overarching importance,we do so knowing that greater progress is not just feasible under it, but becomes assured.
The alternative is cutting the nose to spite the face.
When any people the world over are divided, then not much will be attained.
A divided people will only have themselves to blame as there is either stagnation or regression.
Mt Darwin celebrations were a reminder of what is possible when people are united.
They were a reaffirmation of what is possible when working as a team.
The spirit which prevailed in Mt Darwin is instructive.
It prods us to ensure that we work in unity.
Further, the unity in celebrating must be reflected in our various spheres.
People contribute variously to national aspirations and goals. We are indeed gifted and endowed.
We also have different dispositions, but each and every one of us contributes to the same cause. Political independence set the bedrock for economic independence.
It is an area where we can escalate traction, if we present a united front.
Teams are united, at least the progressive and effective ones.
This applies to corporate practice, as it does to nations. It has been said that the word TEAM is an acronym for Together Each Achieves More!
I exhort that we all work for Team Zimbabwe. The independence we celebrate itself was birthed by transcendent teamwork. Various constituent elements toiled to make sure it became a reality.
Our independence is a shining example of teamwork. It would not have been possible without it. The result of that teamwork was lucidly evident last week.
We demonstrated that it is within our capacity as a people to harness our resources and emerge triumphant as a people, even against staggering odds. When a country coalesces on a single goal or occasion, fireworks are the result as testified by the Mt Darwin independence celebrations. We all marched to the same rhythm, on the same page. The joy on people’s faces was a sight to behold. Evidently, thousands and thousands took time to mark this day. It is a day that marks and endorses our liberty. It is a day that certifies and consolidates our freedom after years of bondage.
It is then that the celebrations were befitting of this grand day. It is also a day which perpetually reminds us not to forget our past.
The celebrations will forever be etched in memories. The Mt Darwin celebrations left an indelible mark.
The mood set the tone for proceedings. Unity was on display all over. It was a nation not just at peace but one which was delirium.
It marked a people concurrently reflecting and celebrating. There were beautiful scenes which provoked me to think that if we could show the unity in all areas, not even the sky would be the limit. We are a great people as manifested recently in Mt Darwin. We have much going on for us.
We share a common past, we equally do so our future. Our lives are inextricably linked.
But there has to be commitment for us to scale the heights we are capable of. We need to be an engaged people, singularly committed to our national causes.
Capacity or potential on its own does not define progression. There has to be commitment. It is found in the corporate that lesser gifted persons can outperform the more esteemed ones. This is precisely because the lesser one will be committed and motivated.
This is revealing to nations as well.
Commitment and motivation define output.
Once we inculcate engagement, then we become unstoppable.
We have much to look forward to.
The emphasis on development was apt and just what the doctor ordered. Such people-centric policies resonate with the people.
We must always remind ourselves that our progression is a collective responsibility and we need to move as a team.
President Mnangagwa said we go full steam on development. Two things stand out here.
Full steam and development.
This means we go full throttle and no retardation or laxity, as we pursue our national developmental goals. To attain our goals requires us to apply ourselves fully, as the President noted. He also upped the ante on development. To satiate people’s aspirations means we need to put primacy on development. That way, there will be better standards of living for each and every one of us, with an emphasis on inclusive growth and development.
The President also highlighted the need to display a never-say-die attitude. We need to have an indefatigable attitude, whereupon we do not tire but keep pushing on.
Even when confronted by challenges, we reassert ourselves and show our resolve to keep moving towards the Promised Land.
It is incumbent upon us to take the baton stick and run our part of the race at the best pace that we can. Posterity demands we do our bit.
Our youths need to come to the party and help build the country.
Their expertise, energy and zeal will yield much for this highly endowed country.
In God I Trust!
