We should rededicate ourselves to our values

15 Sep, 2024 - 00:09 0 Views
We should rededicate ourselves to our values Editorial comment

TODAY marks the launch of the inaugural Munhumutapa Day, which, according to the organisers, honours President Mnangagwa for embodying the spirit of our forebears by pivoting Zimbabwe towards prosperity through using local resources to leapfrog socio-economic development.

The progress that has been achieved over the past five years, be it through massive infrastructure development projects or transformative life-changing programmes on a national level and in communities, is there for all to see.

It is a remarkable feat, considering the inertia of the pre-2017 period.

So, it is worth celebrating the progress we have made thus far; more so, on the opportune day that the President celebrates his birthday.

His has been a life of sacrifice, from the 1960s, when he trained in Nanjing (China), his activism in the pre-independence period that saw him being saved from the hangman’s noose by a technicality, his onerous job to unite armies that fought against each other during the liberation struggle, and his dedication serving Zimbabwe since independence to date.

It is his wise leadership that has made the country’s economy, which is still buffeted by sanctions from the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union, one of the fastest growing in the region.

It is also his wise leadership that has seen the construction of the iconic modern structures that we are beginning to see on Zimbabwe’s landscape.

But probably the biggest gift he will bequeath to the current generation and posterity is the invaluable philosophy behind the current success.

The need for self-belief; self-reliance; hard, honest work; unity; and peace; as well as the programmatic “brick-by-brick” approach to development, are all encapsulated in his mantra that a country is governed, built and prayed for by its own people (Nyika inotongwa, igovakwa, igonamatirwa nevene vayo).

Most countries cannot help but marvel at the milestones achieved by Zimbabwe, which is slowly taking its pride of place in the global family of nations.

Equally critical is the President’s belief in grounding the country’s development in our heritage and time-honoured traditions, norms and values.

So, today provides the opportunity to thank him for his wise leadership and sacrifice.

“We are calling upon all Zimbabweans to come in their numbers and witness the historic launch of the Munhumutapa Day, where we will be paying homage to a living legend who has managed to conjure a socio-economic success story for his people from the time he became President,’’ Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira said ahead of today’s event.

“Today we stand tall and proud as a people in a country that is witnessing transformative development powered by investments in areas such as infrastructure, mining, tourism and agriculture.”

Zimbabwe, a country rich in history and cultural diversity, stands as a testament to the enduring power of traditional norms, heritage and culture.

These elements are not merely relics of the past but are integral to the nation’s social cohesion and economic development.

Traditional norms and cultural practices provide a sense of identity and belonging to the people of Zimbabwe.

They foster a collective identity that transcends individual differences, promoting unity and social harmony.

Our traditional norms also often include mechanisms for conflict resolution that are deeply respected within communities. They also emphasise sustainable living and the conservation of natural resources.

Practices such as traditional conservation farming methods and the use of indigenous knowledge in environmental management are now important, particularly in the wake of climate change.

As a people, we, therefore, need to define our own path to development by rededicating ourselves to the values that sustained our ancestors for centuries.

Tapping on the creativeness and ingenuity of our people will guarantee us victory and success.

So, retracing our footsteps to the citadel of our civilisation, Great Zimbabwe, the former seat of the Mutapa Empire, which controlled a thriving trade route in the region, is sure to provide the much-needed inspiration and belief needed to drive our development.

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