Zimbabwe Independence Day 18 April 2024

18th April 1980 marked the birth of Zimbabwe and it's  independence from Colonial domination and oppression. Today we commemorate Zimbabwe's independence and we honour those that sacrificed, fought and died for our independence. The 18th of April 1980 marked a new beginning and an opportunity to build a nation that was free from colonialism and all forms of abuse and domination of our land and people. The men and women who fought in the war to liberate Zimbabwe had the objective of establishing a democratic country where all people in Zimbabwe would be equal, free and live in a just society. Today as we commemorate our independence it is also important to take stock and reflect on how much progress Zimbabwe has been made and if the people of Zimbabwe are enjoying the independence and freedoms that so many fought and died for.

It is well to say there were many initial successes soon after Zimbabwe gained independence.  Education and health care were prioritised and the people gained much from this; women gained their right to vote and to participate as equals in politics and the economy. There was steady economic growth and there was genuine optimism that  Zimbabwe would grow to be a great and prosperous nation. Zimbabwe integrated well into the global community of nations and became a respected voice in Africa and around the world. Many young people took the new opportunities made available to them economically and politically. The initial years of Zimbabwe's  independence were promising and had all the makings of nation destined for greatness. 

However parallel to this promising start was the spectre of something no one could have imagined would befall Zimbabwe.  The Gukurahundi massacre was the first sign of trouble in our then newly independent country.  Many lives were lost and the massacre had political, economic and tribal motivations which would haunt our country for decades to come. Already some Zimbabweans were being denied the rights,  freedoms and justice that should have followed independence. The promise was freedom, rights, human dignity and justice but some were already being denied this. This expanded to mass general deprivations and abuses which Zimbabweans are being subjected to on an ongoing basis. Today though Zimbabwe is independence the people are not free. Those that express their rights are targeted if the government feels threatened and are subjected to the same treatment they would have received during the Colonial era or worse. Political opponents are killed off, unjustly arrested and or are intimated. Meanwhile ordinary citizens suffer abuses, kidnappings and even murders should the government percieve them to be an enemy. Surely this was not what was envisaged at independence?

Economically corruption slowly but surely manifested itself in government. State funding was abused, stolen and disappeared while our natural resources only served to benefit a few powerful political elite. Today the country does not make any worthwhile gains from its natural resources. The zanupf government has been exposed on different forums and platforms to be looting and stealing these resources. This looting and corruptions has all but destroyed the once promising economy of Zimbabwe. Zimbabweans are plagued with unemployment,  poor health care and social services, and general despair with over 60% of people living on one meal a day.  In this kind of environment it is hard to celebrate independence day.  The government steals from its own people and watches as they suffer. Yes the people remember and honour the day of our independence but without freedom, and without prosperity notwithstanding the government's looting and pillaging of state resources the people cannot celebrate.  There is nothing to celebrate.

Politically the government has since independence Worked to undermine the Constitution,  democratic processes and has captured the state. Journalists and human rights activists are subjected to arrests, and various other abuses including torture and murder. Political opponents receive the same and much more. Elections are constantly rigged and the will of the people subdued at the barrel of a gun. At independence these are some of the issues that should have been done away with as they represented everything that was undesirable from the Colonial government. However the zanupf led Government has not only adopted the characteristics of the Colonial government but has taken things a step further. The abuse of human rights, the manipulation of elections and brutal elimination of political opponents are why so many people fought against the Colonial government with the goal of establishing a free, equal and just society.  Today as we look back on 44 years of independence we cannot say we are indeed free from the same ills that the Colonial government subjected us to.

Independence was attained on the 18th of April 1980 but there is much to be done before people can celebrate.  We must honour Zimbabwe's independence day, more so those that sacrificed their lives to liberate us. Our country was born and we acquired the means to determine our own destiny as a nation. However  the direction the country took and the prevailing status quo are no different from the oppression experienceduring the colonial era. Independence should have been followed by more freedom, prosperity and a just society where all citizens have an equal chance and equal opportunities to do their best and live a happy life. We are all now called upon to assume the responsibility of completing the task our liberators started, the responsibility of establishing a country that is truly free and where all can prosper.