Brain Rungano Temba
Chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa has urged Zimbabweans to accommodate opinions they do not agree with, as diversity forms one of the reasons the Chimurenga war was waged.
Ambassador Mutsvangwa said independent Zimbabwe should allow people to express themselves on matters of national development without fear.
He made these remarks during a televised programme on Zimpapers Television Network, in which he appeared with University of Zimbabwe Lecturer Dr Pedzisayi Ruhanya, and Bishop Ancilimo Magaya, a board member at Heal Zimbabwe, a local non-profit and Tinashe Chikuni of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission.
“There is nothing wrong with having having a diversity of opinions.
The problem only begins when diversity of opinions becomes antagonistic and we disagree on what are the common tenets which should move the country forward,” said Ambassador Mutsvangwa.
The discussion came after the just passed 41st Heroes Day Commemorations that featured the first edition of Civilian commendation awards conferment by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Provincial Ministers of State.
Some figures were casting aspersions on the process, to which Ambassador Mutsvangwa said
Ambassador Mutsvangwa explained that it was the land question that Zimbabweans as a whole agreed to go to war over, the need for Zimbabweans to own land. Thereafter liberties to vote and elect leaders with democratic systems came with the territory of freedom .
He also highlighted that the very disagreement of how the nation must move forward was the basis of the difficulties Zimbabwe has been facing in the past 20 years under the first republic.
Ambassador Mutsvangwa made reference to the role played by the war veterans in the Restoration of the Legacy and transition to the new dispensation as vanguards of the ideals that brought about Independence.
“The role of the Liberation War Veterans, today, is to continue to chart the vision which was the basis of the birth of Zimbabwe. They forfeited the starting of a family and continuity for themselves in as far as heredity is concerned because they expected a prosperous Zimbabwe when opportunities where denied thereby making the grand sacrifice that has few parallels in African History,” added Ambassador Mutsvangwa.
Bishop Magaya acknowledged the freedoms being enjoyed by Zimbabweans under the Second Republic, saying things remain as they are.
Dr Rukuni Chairperson of NPRC explained that in their numerous engagement with members of the public the main recurrent obstacle to their goal of achieving unity was a polarized people divided on political and tribal ideals.
Dr Rukuni said that NPRC is constitutionally mandated to bring post conflict justice healing and reconciliation. The commission is a tool for mediating disputes and preventing violence in the future thereby fulfilling the aspirations of the brave men and women who put their lives down for the independence of Zimbabwe.
Dr Pedzisayi Ruhanya, a University of Zimbabwe Lecturer said during the discussion that War Veterans are the Conscience of Society.
He added that for a nation to develop or prosper they need to know where they came from in order to navigate their trajectory paying homage to the ones who set the coordinated of their future.
The starting point of nation building is to recognize the role played by the War Veterans.
It is impossible to talk of Zimbabwe without talking about about War Veterans and the Liberation Struggle,” said Ruhanya.
Recent Comments