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The Herald, 15 April, 1980

THE Roman Catholic Archbishop for Salisbury, the Rev. Patrick Chakaipa, will bless the new Zimbabwe flag at the midnight independence ceremony at Rufaro Stadium on Thursday, a spokesman for the Governor said yesterday.

The flag will be later hoisted as the Union Jack, a symbol of British authority over Rhodesia, is simultaneously lowered for the last time.

The ceremony will be witnessed by Prince Charles, representing the Queen, the British Foreign Secretary, Lord Carrington, standing in for the Prime Minister, Mrs Thatcher, and heads of state and governments from several countries.

About 40 000 invited guests will also attend the ceremony marking the birth of the independent state of Zimbabwe which will immediately become the 43rd member of the Commonwealth.

Lessons For Today

• The church plays a pivotal role our everyday lives as a predominantly Christian nation, the church plays a central role especially at important national functions.
• Proverbs 16:3 encourages people to commit to the Lord whatever they aspire to do and He will establish their plans. As the new independent State of Zimbabwe was coming into its own in 1980, it was important to start on a sound footing, hence the blessing of the country’s flag by the clergy.
• When a significant event takes place it is important to have something symbolic to show for it. The new Zimbabwe flag played a very important role at independence as it symbolised the transition from colonial rule to majority rule when the Union Jack was lowered and the Zimbabwean flag was hoisted at Rufaro Stadium at midnight, on April 18, 1980.