THE 1987 Unity Accord between (PF) ZAPU and ZANU to form ZANU PF remains significant for the development of the nation, ZANU PF Secretary for Information and Publicity, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo has said.
The Unity Accord culminated in the celebration of Unity Day annually on December 22.
In an interview with The Patriot, Cde Moyo who is also the Minister of Economic Planning said the Unity Accord which was led by President Robert Mugabe and the late Vice President Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo is a very special agreement that united the people of Zimbabwe.
He said the importance of unity came after the realisation by the leaders that these two organs were the liberators of the people of Zimbabwe from 100 years of settler regime and colonialism.
And it was the military wings from the respective parties, ZANLA and ZIPRA which prosecuted the liberation struggle.
The two parties also faced the British in various negotiation platforms like the Geneva Talks, the Malta Talks and the Lancaster House Conference under the banner of the Patriotic Front.
Cde Moyo said it was against this background that it was logical to form a Government as a combined majority party.
“It was therefore logical that as we attained Independence, the Patriotic Front had to form a government as a combined majority party,” he said.
“It was inevitable that the said two liberation movements had to engage in extensive talks which culminated into a united ZANU PF party under the Unity Accord of December 22 1987.”
Cde Moyo said the unity was not just for the two parties, but for the nation and people should celebrate the day, reflect and take stock of the country’s achievements since December 22 1987.
He said it was imperative for the revolutionary party to always introspect so that unity remains the core guiding principle.
Condemning factionalism, Cde Moyo said ZANU PF’s motto is very clear, Unity, Peace and Development and that these elements should bind everyone for the development of the nation.
The Unity Accord, said Cde Moyo, is against tribalism, regionalism and racism, rather it promotes respecting one another and treating each other as one big family.
“As we celebrate Unity Day we should take cognisance of the fact that no one is greater than the other because of his/her birthplace,” said Cde Moyo.
“We are all equal citizens of Zimbabwe and we are called upon to play our part in the implementation of our economic blueprint, the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim-ASSET) and together we cannot fail,” he said.
Last year, President Mugabe unveiled the statue which was made in honour of the late Vice President Cde Joshua Nkomo in Bulawayo and described him as a leader who played his part in liberating the country.
He said the statue would act as a reminder of the sacrifices that he made for the good of the country.
“This acts as a reminder now and in the future of the great work done by those who have gone,” said President Mugabe.
“We now own our resources, every part of it because people like Mdala Nkomo fought.
“As we join the Nkomo family here today, we do so partly in sorrow because we lost out father, but also in the joy as finally the nation has fully recognised Father Zimbabwe who sacrificed his life for the good of all of us.”
Bulawayo’s Main Street and the Bulawayo International Airport have been renamed after Cde Joshua Nkomo.
At the recent burial of national hero, Cde Kotsho Dube, President Mugabe emphasised on peace and unity as ingredients for development among Zimbabweans.
“Our survival as a nation lies in our transcendental unity,” he said.
“Only with unity can we succeed.
“Peace, peace, peace must be allowed to grow roots.”
And the ZANU PF constitution states that the Unity Accord is irrevocable.