Marley’s epic perfomance . . .

ZIMBABWE attained its independence after more than 10 years of armed struggle. On the day that the former Southern Rhodesia gained national sovereignty, Bob Marley performed in front of an audience that included Robert Mugabe, who would go on to serve as the country’s first prime minister.

On April 18 1980, Zimbabwe gained its independence. Celebrations followed on the nights of April 17-18 1980 during a concert at the Rufaro Stadium in Mbare, the township of the capital Salisbury (now Harare). Bob Marley and the Wailers was just one of the musical acts and among the songs they performed was Zimbabwe, with a strong call for pan-Africanism.

The moment was of great historical significance, as the last European colony on the continent had finally gained independence. Representatives from 100 countries, including 11 Heads of State, travelled to Zimbabwe for the celebrations.

At midnight, in absolute silence, the Union Jack was lowered from the big flagpole in the middle of the stadium and replaced by the four-coloured-flag of the young State. Southern Rhodesia became Zimbabwe. For real, this time.

The list of distinguished guests included Prince Charles of the United Kingdom, Lord Soames, the country’s last governor; Kurt Waldheim, United Nation secretary-general Edem Kodjo, secretary-general of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) m, Zambia’s President Kenneth Kaunda and India’s Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

The stadium was packed with more than 35 000 enthusiastic people attending the ceremony. Thousands more were prevented from entering, and even dispersed using tear gas, as the stadium could not accommodate all those who were desperate to witness the demise of the British Empire on the continent.

At midnight, in absolute silence, the Union Jack was lowered from the big flagpole in the middle of the stadium and replaced by the four-coloured-flag of the young State. Southern Rhodesia became Zimbabwe. For real, this time, as the nation’s proclaimed independence had failed to gain any international recognition when it was declared twice before. Racist colonising minority

Northern Rhodesia had become independent a year earlier and was now known as Zambia. Southern Rhodesia tried to follow suit by declaring its independence and taking on the name Rhodesia on November 11 1965.

This had been spearheaded by its Prime Minister Ian Smith. However, neither the British mainland nor any other State, recognised its independence at the time. The UN Security Council Resolutions 216 and 217 even described