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The Herald 4 August 1988

A ZANU PF Politburo member said yesterday the Zimbabwe white community does not participate in State events because some of them are “still dreaming” that there will be a return to minority rule.

In an interview on preparations for next week’s Heroes Day holidays, Cde Maurice Nyagumbo, Zanu PF Secretary for Administration, said most whites in Zimbabwe needed more time to adjust.

“The white community in this country will take a longer time to adjust because some of them are still dreaming that they will return to minority rule and this dream is still unfolding.

“They are not sure yet whether they have lost power, but the day will come when they will participate in these events and we will not urge them. It is up to them to accept reality,” he said.

He said that whites did not regard those who died in Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle as heroes.

“Zimbabweans should show their support for the Unity Accord with PF Zapu by commemorating this year’s Heroes Days in oneness”, he said.

Arrangements for the Heroes holidays on August 11 and 12 were already completed and he expressed hope that this year’s events would be historic as both Zanu (PF) and PF-Zapu would be observing the days as one party.

“This year, unlike the past years, will be momentous because this time, we are going there not as Zanu (PF) and PF-Zapu, but as one united party. We hope that this Heroes holiday will have that impact of a united people.”

The Heroes holidays were introduced by the Government as days for remembering the thousands of Zimbabweans who died during the struggle for Independence.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

With less than two-and-a-half weeks to go before the National Heroes Day and Defence Forces Day, it is important for the nation to remember that thousands of people died during the struggle for Independence.

The nation should also appreciate the pivotal role played by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces in safeguarding the hard-won Independence and safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The 2020 National Heroes and Defence Forces Days are likely to be low-key, just like the 40th Independence celebrations, due to the deadly Covid-19 pandemic that has affected every aspect of life in every country on the globe.

The concerns raised by Cde Nyagumbo remain major issues even today. This is another clarion call for Zimbabweans to be united racially, politically, religiously, inter-generationally and in terms of gender. Unity of purpose will give everyone the opportunity to work towards the development of the country.