…carries nation on its shoulders again
By Lungile Siziba
From February 28 when Cabinet approved the hosting of the 2023 Independence Day celebrations in the home of the liberation struggle, Mt Darwin, in Mashonaland Central Province, people in the district were excited and expectant.
In the build up to the big day, ordinary people, businesspeople, and local authorities, among others, were equally geared for the important national day.
For ordinary people, merely hosting the national presidium is a major achievement.
The young and old alike, who have never been to an event attended, let alone addressed by the President, this was a godsend.
And with the country’s most successful football clubs; Dynamos and Highlanders rolling into the rural area to play a match for the first time since 1980, and a cast of musicians including sungura maestro Alick Macheso and many others around, no one needed reminding that Pfura Stadium was the only place to be on April 18.
The numbers told; thousands of people turned up for the key national day and had a day to remember from the perspective of seeing the national leadership, enjoying entertainment from various groups and of course, to sell a couple of goods.
This was Mashonaland Central people doing what they know best, keeping their promise of coming in huge numbers to reward the Second Republic for trusting them with hosting the main Independence Day celebrations.
The people from the province in general, and Mt Darwin in particular, have always kept their promises anyway, dating back to the days of the brutal liberation struggle when they abandoned their homes, schools, families and friends, to cross into Mozambique to take up arms and valiantly defend their motherland.
After Independence, the people of Mt Darwin have never let down the ruling ZANU PF during elections, voting overwhelmingly for the revolutionary party that opposition parties no longer have a strategy of seeking votes from them anymore.
For Mr Tinotenda Bangajena (22), taking Independence to Mt Darwin was one of the many good things
done by the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa since 2018.
“Ever since he became President, I have never doubted President Mnangagwa’s capacity to deliver for the nation,” said Mr Bangajena.
“However, I have to be clear that I never anticipated that he would ever take Independence celebrations to Mt Darwin.
“When he said he would rotate the hosting of national celebrations such as Independence, I never thought that when it became Mashonaland Central Province’s turn, Mt Darwin District would be the hosts. I am humbled to have been given this honour by the President. Just look at the joy among the people, everyone is ecstatic.”
Indeed, everyone was overjoyed, from the young, the middle aged and the elderly.
They started walking to Pfura Stadium at Mt Darwin High School from as early as 4am depending on the part of the district they were coming from.
There seemed to be competition from the province’s various districts, to see which district will have more people compared to the other.
Some people such as Mr Michael Ndoro (44) travelled from Centenary, Mazowe District, to join the nation in celebrating Independence Day.
Mr Ndoro is an avid admirer of President Mnangagwa, since the time he was Defence Minister given the way he would describe the country’s late founding President Robert Mugabe.
To have a glimpse of his idol from close range, Mr Ndoro, who is also a Dynamos fan, hitch-hiked to Mt Darwin for the country’s big day.
“I only had one choice; going to Mt Darwin for the Independence Day celebrations. When the national leadership honours your province with the right to host such an important day, you have to be there in solidarity otherwise next time you will never be considered.
“Beyond that, I just like President Mnangagwa. I enjoyed the way he would describe the former President during Defence Forces Day celebrations. So, I just had to come.”
President Mnangagwa said he was distinctly honoured and privileged to address the nation on the occasion of Zimbabwe’s 43rd Independence Day celebrations in Mount Darwin.
“The venue befits the occasion, as it sits on what became one of the epicentres of the Second Chimurenga,” said the President.
“Being the first independence celebrations to be held in a rural province, this year’s event serves as a jubilant statement and symbol of honour to the many sons and daughters of Zimbabwe who fought for our liberation, who were drawn from every village of our country.
“Sombre memories of the immense suffering of our people in ‘Keeps’ and surrounding villages under the brutal colonial administration, embolden us to stand firm, defiant and confident that never, never again shall our people live as slaves in their own motherland, Zimbabwe.”
Indeed, Zimbabwe is now free from colonial occupation, and the Second Republic is working tirelessly to empower the people.
This is informed by the realisation that flag independence without economic independence, in a country where colonisers enjoyed the lion’s share of economic activities, is empty.
Those that want to engage in agriculture now have land while others have entered into partnerships since not everyone can get land, a finite resource.
Tobacco growing has attracted the bulk of young people, with over 380 000 farmers growing tobacco every year, generating the country about US$1 billion in foreign currency.
Other people are involved in mining, with over 500 000 black people into small-scale mining, hauling gold and generating millions of dollars too.
Said President Mnangagwa: “Political independence without economic independence is incomplete, thus empowerment programmes continue to anchor the Second Republic’s transformation agenda.
“We salute the many micro, small and medium enterprises across the country who are employing thousands of people and ensuring inclusive economic growth.”
