UPHOLD PEACE, SAYS MPOFU
HOME Affairs Minister and Zanu-PF Umguza legislator Dr Obert Mpofu has urged the nation to celebrate the country’s 38th Independence Day in peace, saying people should maintain the peace and harmony to the time of the 2018 harmonised elections and thereafter.
Dr Mpofu said this day holds importance in that it set everyone free from colonialism.
“April 18 marks the day we got liberated and got our rights to freedom. People now do as they wish; they got their land back and are now able to exercise any duties such as farming and mining on land that rightfully belongs to them. Citizens no longer have to walk around with identity particulars as if they are prisoners but walk freely on the country’s roads, from any corner of the country to the other,” he said.
Dr Mpofu said this day also marks the celebration for our new President, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa whom citizens are looking up to, to raise the country’s light up high and keep it shining.
He said celebrations had already begun at his rural home with the elderly in that community.
“Independence Day preparations here are underway and I can proudly say at the moment I am in the midst of the elderly and are in a way, already in celebration of having lived to see the 38th year of independence.
“Everyone here is happy and most grateful that they have lived this long in an independent atmosphere. There is no greater feeling than that of being an independent citizen.
“A message from the leaders here with me to the youths is to remind them to maintain respect for the elders and everyone else in order for them to enjoy their freedom.
“Children honour one another and your elders so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth,” said the minister.
He said Independence Day was and is not a day for one single person but a day for the people, a day for every citizen.
“We did not fight for freedom of one single person but for the people of Zimbabwe.
“We fought with the aim of democracy and it is what we want to enjoy.
“I urge people to do like churches do, many different names but with one target, worshipping the Lord,” said Dr Mpofu.
He said: “As the minister of Home Affairs, I want to remind people to maintain peace and harmony towards, during and after the 2018 harmonised elections.
“We should remember to vote freely for whosoever we want and no one should feel coerced to vote for anyone. It’s your right to vote for the person of your choice.”— @winnie_masara