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THE growth of Zimbabwe as a unitary State must be revered as a national ethic that rises above the politics of party, race or tribe to a single language of development where unity must never be allowed to perish as it is the bedrock of stability and amity, President Mnangagwa has said.
In his special message to mark 32 years after the signing of the Unity Accord, President Mnangagwa said the day was a landmark event that ended the disturbances which had flared up soon after the country’s independence and were threatening to split and rip the young democratic Zimbabwe apart.
Zimbabwe today celebrates Unity Day, which is a national holiday to honour the Unity Accord signed on 22 December 1987 to unite liberation parties Zanu-PF and PF-Zapu to form Zanu-PF.
The country’s late founding fathers, Cde Robert Mugabe who represented Zanu-PF and Cde Joshua Nkomo, representing PF Zapu signed the pact.
The agreement marked the end of political disturbances that had flared soon after Independence in 1980 that have come to be known as Gukurahundi.
President Mnangagwa said any attempts to undermine the day should be resisted as it remained a material force which continues to shape the country’s politics today and forever.
“We stand obligated to further the ideals of this timeless bequest of unity to our nation. Far more than a legacy, the Unity Accord is a material force which continues to shape our politics to this day and forever.
“It never wears out, nor will we ever allow it to perish. It is the life-force of our nation, the pith of our nationhood. We are as good and strong as we are united: today, tomorrow and forever. It is a core part of processes which founded our nation and keep us together as a nation,” said President Mnangagwa.
He called on all citizens to continue renewing the spirit of unity adding that it was through it that the country could meet the threat of enemies hell-bent on accessing the country’s resources.
“All generations, all citizens and all leaders of this nation, must continue to renew, affirm and reaffirm our unity as a people. We should never tire to work for national unity, to think, act and to live true to its dictates.”
The President said it was sad that the two leaders who spearheaded the independence struggle and authored the watershed document were no longer there although the country remained indebted to them for their nationalist footprint.
“Their epochal works and deeds make them live beyond their lifetime. We thank them heartily, and will forever remember and honour them as founders and makers of our Nation,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said
the country should remain united to ensure that people have decent livelihoods through inclusive development and growth which leaves no one behind adding that the immutable goal required all hands on the deck regardless of politics, tribe, region, race or creed.
“Zimbabwe needs all its hands; black or white; long or short; tender, clean or greased; fisted or open. All these hands belong to our nation which today bids them to work for it, and in unity and harmony.
“We have created channels and avenues for resolving our differences and sharing ideas on challenges we face as a nation. It is never too late to serve your people and country,” he said.
The President walked back the liberation struggle route saying both Zanla and Zipra progressively came together and fought against settlers as a united force adding that the Unity Accord was, thus deeply rooted in the country’s history and should not be deleted.
“Today more than ever before we need national unity,” he said.
He added that the country should never entertain politics which mobilise around narrow, anti-nation sentiments. The President said Zimbabwe was a unitary state and politics operating below that constitutional dictate, should be rejected.
“We must therefore always seek to be more peaceful and more united through greater interaction, greater justice and more balanced development.
“Our politics must never fracture our nation or threaten to break it up. Our politics must affirm our nation by always advancing productivity, economic development and prosperity for all our people.
“That which is in the best interests of the people must beacon,” said President Mnangagwa.