Let’s take pride in Unity Day

THIS Friday, Zimbabwe commemorates one of the most significant days in the country’s history, Unity Day. On December 22, 1987, ZANU and ZAPU, the two political parties that fought the enemy for the country’s liberation, joined forces and formed ZANU PF.

After independence in 1980, there had been internal disturbances, marked by tribal conflicts, but the two parties were inspired by the spirit of patriotism and decided that the then-nascent nation of Zimbabwe was better off united.

Two towering figures of the liberation struggle and the country’s founding fathers, the late Cde Robert Mugabe and the late Dr Joshua Nkomo, signed the historic Unity Accord, and the momentous occasion remains one of the pillars that hold Zimbabwe together as a republic and a unitary state.

No one can be in doubt that December 22, 1987 was a day that extinguished flames of conflict that came to be known as Gukurahundi, a sad chapter in the country’s history.

The historic accord positively changed the trajectory of the Zimbabwean nation and its significance is priceless.

During the 10th anniversary of the Unity Accord, on December 22, 1997, the day was declared a national holiday to highlight its significance while ensuring that it would never be forgotten or undermined by anyone.

Since the Second Republic assumed office as the New Dispensation in late 2017, the Government, led by President Mnangagwa, has burnt the midnight oil to ensure that unity remains an essential plinth of the Zimbabwean nation.

The President has made it clear at various platforms that unity is the basis for the country’s peace, stability and prosperity.

Elsewhere in this publication, we report on how the Government is continuing with his unshakable commitment to preserve the country’s unity, as public hearings to document and resolve issues about the Gukurahundi disturbances are set to commence early next year.

This marks the beginning of a historically significant national healing and reconciliation process that many were yearning for, but were afraid to tackle head-on.

The hearings, set to be led by over 70 traditional chiefs from Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces, seek to bring closure to the post-independence violent clashes.

Processes to address the Gukurahundi period kicked off in 2019, when the Government met with the Matabeleland Collective, a grouping of local civic organisations, to find solutions to ensure healing among victims of the disturbances.

By confronting the country’s ugly past and resolving outstanding issues associated with the disturbances, President Mnangagwa has underlined his wisdom and dexterity in statecraft.

He has decided that it is his administration that must resolve issues of the post- independence conflict to allow the current and future generations to move forward as a united people.

It is instructive that traditional chiefs, led by National Council of Chiefs president Chief Mtshane Khumalo will superintend the hearings.

We report in this publication that the Government last week handed over laptops, recorders and printers to 72 traditional chiefs in the two provinces of Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South to facilitate the hearings. Through this, the President has shown that whatever differences and contradictions the country may face, resolutions should come through peaceful dialogue.

To understand the significance of President Mnangagwa’s interventions, one needs to look at many parts of the world right now where bitter wars are raging.

Innocent people, including children, are dying due to failure by leaders to create a platform to uphold peace.

Zimbabwe has not sought the assistance of outsiders to resolve its domestic issues but is doing it on its own. Nothing beats sitting down as a united people to iron out any differences that exist or may arise.

Through the iconic philosophy, Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo, Zimbabwe is proving to be exemplary in promoting unity, and many other countries can learn from us.

The country’s Unity Accord is a living testimony of the lasting excellence of home-grown solutions to any form of challenges that a country may face.

Zimbabwe must take pride in the fact that the Unity Accord was homebased and today, the country continues to enjoy invaluable peace and unity.