THIS year’s independence anniversary is an opportunity for youths across the country to take time and familiarise with Zimbabwe’s history in order for them to jealously guard their country, ZANU PF Secretary for Youth Affairs, Cde Pupurai Togarepi, has said.
Zimbabwe turns 35 tomorrow and the main celebrations will be held at the National Sports Stadium under the theme ‘Zimbabwe @t 35: Consolidating Unity, Peace and Economic Sovereignty’.
In an interview at the party headquarters on Tuesday, Cde Togarepi said the most important aspect that has been instilled on Zimbabweans, particularly youths through the various stages the country has gone through, is self-confidence.
This, he said, has helped mould the majority into formidable forces in issues to do with making good use of the various empowerment initiatives availed to them by President Robert Mugabe.
“The most important thing which all Zimbabweans must take to the heart is that we have come of age and if it was a human being we would be saying that we are now past youthful age and we are no longer learning but now teachers of other nations,” said Cde Togarepi.
“We have gone through all stages of growth such as pre-independence where young men and women made that difficult decision to go and fight for their country. They were not doing this for themselves but for others as well. We have also gone through the phase of attaining political independence and economic prosperity.
“We are now in the process of asserting ourselves through the Zim-ASSET programme, which is yet another crucial stage in developing our country.
“So we have indeed come of age with all the phases, the struggles we have gone through.”
A decolonised mind, Cde Togarepi said, was a key success to be celebrated tomorrow.
He said what distinguished Zimbabweans from other nations was their ability to deflect the colonial mindset which he described as pseudo-colonialism mentality and asserting their unflinching stance on matters to do with patriotism and sovereignty.
He said the country had managed to achieve courtesy of President Mugabe and other liberation struggle stalwarts’ principled stand on defending their country from the enemy.
Cde Togarepi said youths must not only emulate these leaders but must take time to mix and mingle with their elders, particularly war veterans for oral history lessons.
“The biggest achievement to celebrate tomorrow is that we can boast of decolonised minds, a key trait in national development,” said Cde Togarepi.
“Youths have to come forward and take charge of the economy since most of them are educated thanks to President Mugabe’s policy on education. But for them to be able to take charge of the economy, they must have a grasp of the country’s history so that they can be able to defend the revolution.
“So we are saying youths must emulate the leadership of President Mugabe and all the comrades who have stood firm in pursuing and defending the country’s revolution, they must take time to listen to their leaders, they must mix and mingle with them and our veterans of the liberation struggle so that they learn about the country’s history through oral lessons and other means possible.”
Cde Togarepi said the people of Zimbabwe must not be hoodwinked by those who dangle the so-called democracy carrot at them as the country was one of the most democratic societies in the world.
He said the fact that people in Zimbabwe have freedoms that include owning and controlling their land and abundant natural resources worship, to move around freely and peacefully and to associate without hindrance were a clear sign of a democratic society.
“But for us to fully enjoy our independence without disturbances and interference from anyone means we have to defend and jealously guard those freedoms,” he said.