Robert Mugabe in 1979 outside the Zimbabwe African National Union-PF headquarters in Mozambique. Mugabe has led the his nation since independence in 1980.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos
Zimbabwe Herald
WE publish here a full text of the address by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Cde RG Mugabe, on the commemoration of Heroes Day at the National Heroes Acre yesterday.
Fellow countrymen, once again, we gather here today at the National Heroes Acre, even as we acknowledge similar gatherings that are taking place at other various shrines throughout our country, all exhorting us as a nation, to pause and reflect on the selfless and supreme acts of heroism which won back our country.
This occasion bids us to dig deep into our innermost selves and ask whether we still accord the right measure of reverence to those who fought to reclaim our land from racist settler colonialism and its vices.
All of these people, some known, others symbolised by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, fully deserve our gratitude always.
They include the war veterans, detainees, restrictees, collaborators and unnamed others who were brought together by the burning desire to contribute to the fight for our freedom.
And on 18th of April 1980, our Zimbabwe was born.
We celebrate, as we have done over the last 30 years, with national pride and overflowing joy, the unity of purpose and undying heroism that guided these great men and women, the boys and girls, whose blood and suffering brought us our cherished land and Independence.
As we meet on this occasion, we recall the genesis of the early great resistance wars against settler colonialism which were hamstrung by resources; which were followed by the bolder and yet still ill-equipped era of nationals struggle; and finally, the unrelenting and decisive armed liberation struggle which led to the triumph of our national heritage, sovereignty and Independence.
On this solemn occasion, let us all be encouraged to always cherish the virtues of selflessness and service to the nation that were demonstrated by our heroes.
This year’s Heroes Day celebration coincides with a very important undertaking in the history of our nation.
As all of us are aware, we are now fully embarked on the outreach phase of the constitution-making process.
It is our conviction that the new Constitution, which we want to reflect the people’s views, will help us realise the full meaning of our freedom and Independence.
Thus, the constitution-making process does indeed come at a defining moment for our people.
Through this supreme law, Zimbabwe should see itself unequivocally asserting her sovereignty over the ownership, control and use of her God-given resources.
The constitution-making process should entrench those principles fully democratise the socio-economic and political space that our people enjoy, which is the ultimate goal for which our heroes paid a supreme sacrifice.
Since the formation of the inclusive Government in February last year, our commitment and determination to forge ahead in implementing the Global Political Agreement has been beyond reproach.
We have made significant progress in making fully functional the independent commissions provided for in our Constitution; these being the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and the Zimbabwe Media Commission.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission will soon be sworn–in once all the necessary procedures have been finalised.
Sustaining national stability, social cohesion and boosting the conditions necessary for rapid economic transformation remains the major priority of Government.
For this reason, we have embarked in earnest on the process of national healing, reconciliation and integration.
For the sake of our children and posterity, I want to urge all of you to note that the process of reconciliation is national.
It does not seek to ferret out supposed criminals for punishment but rather calls on all of us to avoid the deadly snare of political conflict.
Guided by the spirit of tolerance, we should continue to work together in promoting peace and stability, regardless of political or religious affiliation.
Government continues to work tirelessly and resolutely for the recovery of our economy. Accordingly, Government remains focused on ensuring that development remains targeted at achieving long-term economic growth deliverables.
Furthermore, Government continues to focus on productive sectors of agriculture, mining, manufacturing and tourism, with a view to intensifying value addition as a pivotal cornerstone for rapid industrialisation which bolsters economic growth.
The mining sector, in particular, is experiencing a renewed surge of investor interest in the gold, diamond, platinum, chrome and coal sub-sectors, and is poised to positively impact on the material and social condition of our people.
At the same time, the small and medium enterprises sector continues to offer a significant platform for business growth and development and broad-based empowerment for our people.
The critical infrastructural sectors of power, water, roads, rail, telecommunications and the social sectors of health and education continue to receive due attention from Government, this, in spite of the paucity of resources.
Policy measures will be put in place with the aim of motivating and encouraging private sector participation.
As a nation, we are encouraged by our recent ranking as having the highest literacy rate in Africa.
At 92 percent, Zimbabwe has overtaken Tunisia’s 87 percent, according to the 2009 United Nations Development Programme Statistical Digest.
This is despite our education sector suffering from the effects of lack of funding caused by the illegal sanctions on our country.
This increase in literacy levels is evidence of Government’s untiring investment in education since Independence.
All our human resource skills and intellectual prowess should be harnessed towards the recovery of our economy.
We should aim to create employment opportunities for our people, particularly, the women and the youth.
Government is also encouraged by the recent interest shown by regional and international financial and business institutions which are proposing win-win investment and financial partnerships.
But even as we seek to consolidate our collective achievements, and celebrate our tenacity in demonstrating a high sense of shared responsibility as a people in confronting our country’s challenges, we are reminded that our detractors continue to sow seeds of discontent and disharmony, wherever and whenever, they find fertile ground to do so.
Let us, therefore, always remain vigilant as a nation.
Disharmony, be it in political parties, religious groups and churches, local authorities, the corporate sector, workers’ organisations, or even at the village and any other institutions, does not augur well for our well-being as a nation.
In this context, I would, therefore, like to urge every Zimbabwean to hold fast to the values and principles that guided the liberation struggle so that our energies are not wasted in fighting each other but in promoting unity of purpose and safe-guarding the gains of our revolution.
Although the prevailing economic dispensation has brought some modicum of relief to our people through greater availability of essential goods on the market, many citizens still remain vulnerable, especially because the multi-currencies in use are not within their reach.
Government is, therefore, putting in place various initiatives to cushion the vulnerable groups, including the dependants of our heroes.
To this end, Government will, inter alia, continue to provide the necessary welfare support under the Heroes Dependants’ Fund, and ensure that other dependants’ requirements are also met where possible.
Lest we forget, Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle would not have been successful had it not been for the material, moral and diplomatic support we received from the then Frontline States.
The legendary names of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, Samora Moises Machel, Dr Kenneth Kaunda and Sir Seretse Khama loom large over Africa’s liberation horizon.
We also extend our gratitude to former President Thabo Mbeki and President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, for their invaluable support in the making and implementation of the Global Political Agreement.
South Africa’s mediation role, as mandated by the Southern African Development Community and the African Union, is a clear demonstration that Africa has the capacity to resolve its own problems.
Beyond the African region, we continue to be encouraged by the support that we receive from the People’s Republic of China, India, Iran, Russia and Cuba, and other all-weather friends.
Recently, we have sought to re-engage the European Union on the issue of the immediate removal of the evil sanctions that are hurting our people.
But no sooner had we started the re-engagement than we realised that the European Union is far from being sincere, as the bloc keeps on shifting goal posts.
The European Union and America are keen to have our people continue suffering under the evil sanctions.
Let all Zimbabweans unite on this matter, and with one voice, continue to demand their removal.
I wish now to take this opportunity to pay tribute to our defence, police, security and prison forces for their continued dedicated service in guaranteeing and maintaining the peace and security of our free and sovereign Zimbabwe.
To you, the great freedom fighters, those who live, and the courageous and fearless sons and daughters of the soil who lie at this sacred shrine and elsewhere within and outside our borders, in known and unknown places, in marked and unmarked graves, we say thank you; thank you for your selfless sacrifice, thank you, for a free and Independent Zimbabwe, thank you for restoring the dignity of the African people and the heritage of our forefathers.
We thank you for teaching us never to accept being a colony again.
Thank you for making us proud masters of our own destiny.
With these remarks, I now wish the country enjoyable and memorable National Heroes and Defence holidays.
For those who will be plying our roads, especially the public transport operators, I would like to urge them to exercise caution always and save precious lives.
I thank you.
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