THE greatest day of 2013 was, no doubt, July 31 when ZANU PF convincingly trounced the MDC in a plebiscite which saw the revolutionary party get over two thirds majority both in the Senate and House of Assembly.
The victory should not be seen as a mere event, but rather as a process that culminated in Zimbabweans uniting in crushing the regime change agenda.
This is against the background of the 2008 harmonised elections in which a divided electorate almost gave the country away to Western created sell-out parties.
The result of a disjointed approach to national issues was well demonstrated by the so-called Government of National Unity (GNU) which followed.
Because the MDC controlled the purse, areas like agriculture, which determine the livelihoods of the majority of the indigenes empowered by the Land Reform Programme, were starved.
As ZANU PF pulled in one direction, MDC was determined to pull in another and the result, sadly, was a dysfunctional government.
When disunited progress is at a premium.
The July 31 result must have reminded us to think more deeply about the meaning of the 1987 December 22 Unity Accord.
It’s a lasting accord which our nationalist leaders, Cde Joshua Nkomo and Cde Robert Mugabe, who successfully led the liberation struggle, bequeathed to the nation.
The Unity Accord consolidated the peace still prevailing in the country today.
The same spirit of unity should see the country overcome the economic challenges dogging the country at the moment.
Since the electorate united in supporting the indigenisation and empowerment policies of ZANU PF on July 31, the same electorate must remain united as the revolutionary party implements the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim Asset).
Agents of regime change will try by all means to derail this bold economic programme either by disparaging remarks through the media or outright sabotage.
This then becomes a test of our unity.
As a united people, our resilience saw us overcome the superior firepower of the Smith regime in 1980.
The challenge for ZANU PF is for the party to realise that the country is solidly united behind them for direction as demonstrated on July 31.
Failure to deliver should not be an option.
The fulfillment of promises should be able to see the electorate remain united as they are called to vote again come 2018.
Meanwhile, the Unity Day holiday is among a cluster of big holidays coming soon that include Christmas and New Year’s Day.
The spirit of national unity should be transferred to the family as loved ones meet and get a chance to reflect on the year’s events together.
In the midst of the merriment, families should unite in sharing ideas on how best to prosper using the God -given resources at their disposal.
Regrettably over the years these holidays have been spoiled by fatal accidents that have occurred on our roads.
In most cases, these accidents are avoidable.
According to police records most accidents are caused by drunken driving, speeding, using defective vehicles and not taking due attention to road conditions.
Zimbabwe has much to offer to its citizens.
Let’s not deny ourselves a chance to see what is in store for us by losing our valued lives through carelessness.
Let’s all enjoy our Unity Day, Christmas and New Year holidays.
As we enter 2014, let’s remember we can achieve much more as a united nation.