WE are set for exciting times.
Zimbabweans have been a resilient people, we have remained committed and most importantly we have not given up.
We stand on the threshold of greatness.
And having come so far, let us now not shoot ourselves in the foot.
Our economy has a real chance to become the greatest not just in the region but the continent.
Do I hear naysayers?
I repeat we can become the greatest economy on the continent.
Our dear friend China some 30 years ago was considered a pariah state, one of the poorest in the world.
Claims that it would in this lifetime become the second largest economy in the world then would have met with laughter.
But today it is.
It is now a superpower.
Critical at this moment besides commitment and resilience is appreciation.
Appreciation of who we are as a people.
Appreciation of what we stand for as a nation.
Appreciation of our values and aspirations as a country.
I said let us not shoot ourselves in the foot.
To be more specific going forward let us shun vices such as corruption.
Let us all contribute to development and not wait for others to deliver on our behalf.
Let us take seriously the Grundnorm, that phenomena we talked about not so long ago.
The Grundnorm is the spirit that binds a nation together.
It is the aggregate of values and norms that give the nation an identity. It is a spiritual beacon which can be partly defined by hunhu/ubuntu. For Zimbabwe the Grundnorm is enshrined in our national flag and all it symbolises.
Our Grundnorm lies in our ancestors and in our heroes who laid down their lives in defence of this nation.
We have rekindled the Zimbabwean spirit, we have restored confidence in ourselves.
Let us be ourselves in the family of nations and not apologise for our existence.
Having lost our spiritual bearings over the last years, we must restore a sense of purpose and patriotism in our nation, especially among the young people.
Our development partners must not find us wanting.
We owe it to ourselves and future generations to build a Zimbabwe that will inspire Africa.
Let the rest of Africa and developing countries get inspiration from the Zimbabwean story.
As we begin travelling this path of economic prosperity it is imperative for Zimbabweans to realise that in our language, our proverbs, our customs, our folklore and our history (therein) lies our ‘Grundnorm’, our strength and our identity.
Economic prosperity must not make us lose focus of who we are as a people.
This is an important message that must be embraced by all, especially by our youths who are our future.
I appeal to our elders to be exemplary.
Our young people need guidance, direction and support from the older generations and it is through explaining our values and ideologies to them that they may be nurtured into real patriots who believe in their own country.
It is how we conduct ourselves, how we carry ourselves, how we do business and engage each other that will teach them to become responsible citizens.
It is a good thing that our leaders have declared people like Dr Vimbai Gukwe Chivaura and Kiki Divaris liberation war heroes.
The nation still requires heroes.
Our struggle did not end when we laid down our guns and turned them into ploughshares.
The struggle continues and requires dedicated cadres.
Zimbabwe is too beautiful a country to ignore, it must be defended.
And none but ourselves will defend it.
Heroes and heroines will not go unnoticed.