Story by Josephine Mugiyo
As Zimbabwe marks 37 years since the signing of the Unity Accord, President Emmerson Mnangagwa says the nation will continue to pursue its national development agenda against all odds.
On December 22 1987, Zimbabwe’s founding fathers, Cde Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo and Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe signed the historic Unity Accord which ushered in peace and stability in the country.
37 years later, as he addressed the nation, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe has stood firm against all odds.
President Mnangagwa said the early years of post-independence unrest delayed Zimbabwe’s socio-economic growth and cast a dark cloud of disharmony among the people.
“This day therefore will forever be etched in our national calendar as a somber reminder of our individual and collective duty to defend, promote and consolidate the grand national heritage of peace, unity and love. Since the 1987 Unity Accord, our nation has stood firm and united even in difficult times. These included during our fight for the sovereign reclamation of our land. Presently, our nation is moving forward with fervent hope and determination to build a more prosperous future for all Zimbabweans, leaving no one and no place behind. We remain inspired to continue demonstrating unparalleled national strength, resilience and unflinching patriotism to our country.”
President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe will continue to develop against all odds.
“The numerous attacks and ill will we have endured from detractors over the years were aimed at sowing seeds of division and disunity. However, the people of this great nation have remained vigilant and resolute. Our trials and tribulations have become ye wind beneath our wings that hello us to soar greater heights like the fish eagle that adorns our sacred national flag. Through oneness and common purpose, we are recording evident transformation in every facet of the economy village by village ward by ward and sector by sector,” he said.
The Head of State said in their diversity, Zimbabweans remain one people, flying the same national flag in all four corners of the country.
“Although our norms, customs, languages and culture are diverse, we remain a composite and solid unitary state. From Zambezi to Limpopo, from Plumtree to Mutare and across the most remote villages in our country, we sing with pride one national anthem and fly one national flag. We are diverse, but one. 37 years since this historic national accord, self-hate, violence, tribalism and regionalism are now rejected in our national psyche and culture. We embraced and embedded unity, peace, self-belief and confidence in our identity as the sons and daughters of this sacred soil.”
Given the recent move by the Second Republic to secure land tenure and empower beneficiaries of the land reform programme, President Mnangagwa said this year’s Unity Day celebrations are equally a jubilant occasion, affirming that the land is now permanently with its people, adding this is what the liberation struggle was all about.
Unity Day is a national holiday in Zimbabwe, given the significance of the historic signing of the Unity Accord which brought peace and stability among the citizenry.
