THERE are many troubled nations in Africa and a closer look at Southern Africa and other parts of the continent leaves one wondering if Zimbabweans appreciate the peace that prevails in the country 35 years after independence.
In Zimbabwe, the flame of independence continues to burn while across the Limpopo, it is the smoke of burning shacks and bodies as xenophobia rears its ugly head and fellow Africans crying and pleading for their lives.
Nigeria, Chad, and Cameroon continue to be terrorised by the insurgent group, Boko Haram which has killed thousands of innocent people.
With the incident at Garissa University still fresh on their minds where 147 students were brutally murdered, Kenyans live in fear of the terrorist group Al Shabab which has connections to Al Quaeda reportedly funded by Saudi Arabia, an ally of America.
Ironically, the West has labelled Zimbabwe a country where human rights are not recognised and not a safe place to visit or stay.
The truth is Zimbabweans and foreigners roam the streets freely, without fear of being hit by a machete or being burnt alive.
Last Saturday thousands of people braved the chilly weather and gathered at the National Sports Stadium for the main Independence Day celebrations.
In his address, President Robert Mugabe took a swipe at the attacks of Africans in South Africa.
He said it was disgusting.
“I want to express our sense of shock and disgust as we abhor the incident that happened in Durban where some five or six Africans were burned to death deliberately by some members of the South African Zulu community,” he said.
“We understand it was a protest against the influx into South Africa of or by citizens from neighbouring countries.
“The act of treating other Africans in that horrible way cannot be condoned by anyone and whether these are the followers of the Zulu King Zwelithini or the followers of some mislead members of the South African community.
“We say on our own behalf and behalf of SADC and indeed on behalf of the African Union that must never happen again, never happen again in South Africa or any other country.
“Our own African people, on the African continent, must be treated with dignity.”
Thirty-five years on Zimbabweans continue to enjoy a peaceful environment that promotes development and economic growth.
The economy is steadily on the path to recovery, having registered a growth rate of 3, 1 percent in 2014.
President Mugabe said the growth was largely driven by better performance in mining, agriculture and construction.
He acknowledged that the manufacturing sector was facing challenges which had resulted in it underperforming.
“These (the challenges) include, but not limited to, antiquated plant and machinery, inflexible labour laws, influx of cheap imports, high cost of production and the prevailing liquidity constraints,” he said.
“To ameliorate the recurrent problems, the World Bank, in partnership with Government, will soon launch a US$6,5 million Business Enabling Environment Programme, which seeks to improve the business operating environment, aimed at consequently raising business productivity by injecting competitiveness.”
Turning to the mining sector, President Mugabe said Government had begun consolidating all diamond mining companies in the country into one entity.
“In that entity, Government will have 50 percent equity, whilst private investors share the remaining shareholding,” he said.
“This should enhance the supervision and accountability in the operations of this vital sector of the economy.”
Opportunities promoting development have been availed for youths in Zimbabwe.
And unlike their fellow counterparts in South Sudan where there are more than 11 000 child soldiers, local youths are not learning how to handle machine guns, detonate bombs, but taking part in economic development programmes.
“As part of the youth empowerment initiatives, the Training for Enterprise Model in Vocational Training Centres has been introduced to help address the problem of high youth unemployment levels in the country,” said President Mugabe.
“In 2014, 11 242 youths were equipped with technical, vocational and entrepreneurial skills through the Integrated Skills Outreach programme.
“Again in 2014, 13 444 youths were involved in voluntary community development projects under the Youth Build Zimbabwe programme.”
The girl child in Zimbabwe walks to school without fear as her Nigerian counterpart who never knows when Boko Haram will strike again bearing in mind the group kidnapped more than 200 girls in Chibok last year.
Underprivileged children in Zimbabwe, said President Mugabe remain a government priority.
“In order to boost assistance to vulnerable children, Government will devise means to increase funding for the Basic Education Assistance Programme (BEAM),” said President Mugabe.
“Through the Harmonised Social Cash Transfer Programme, 53 121 vulnerable, food-insecure, and labour-constrained households in the country’s 20 poorest districts, were assisted, at a total cost of US$16,7 million.”
Local women too, have not been left out as efforts have been made to empower them.
“I wish to note that some 720 women’s groups have so far received funding, to the tune of US$854 766 through the Government-sponsored Women’s Development Fund,” President Mugabe said.
“The projects were funded for women’s projects in mining, agro-dealership, honey production and processing, garment making, leather products, crafts, fruit vending and value addition.”
So as Zimbabweans celebrate the country’s hard-won independence, it is imperative to remember that there are some people in the region and beyond who long for peace and stability.
Independence must never be taken for granted.