By Alois Vinga
OPPOSITION leader, Nelson Chamisa says the promise of a unified nation has been sacrificed on the altar of toxic politics, which continues to widen the gap between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ in the country.
National Unity Day is a public holiday in Zimbabwe and is observed on December 22 every year. This day commemorates the merger of two political parties, Zanu-PF and PF-Zapu on December 22, 1987.
Following ethnic and political differences between ZANU and ZAPU that led to violence and civil unrest leading to massacres known as ‘Gukurahundi’, which claimed 20,000 lives between 1983 and 1987, to stem the violence, ZANU leader, Robert Mugabe, and ZAPU frontman Joshua Nkomo signed the historic Unity Accord.
The pact formed a single united nationalist political party under the name Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (Zanu PF).
The National Unity Day has been a public holiday since 1997 as a day to reflect on efforts towards peace and reconciliation in Zimbabwe.
Speaking on the commemorations, Chamisa said the day now signifies a broken promise and a missed golden opportunity.
“Unity Day reminds us of all of the elusive promise of a united and prosperous Zimbabwe! A promise that has been broken by bad governance, toxicity, inequality, mistrust and injustice. True unity is not about unity of political parties or individuals,” he said.
The trailblazing opposition leader, who has remained focused on his dream and vision to take over the reins someday, said unity of all citizens is founded on shared values and mutual ideals built on love, peace and shared prosperity.
He underscored that unity must neither be a one-day event nor a concept on paper but has to be practiced, ‘palpable and experienced’ daily in all facets of life as he reiterated that during his tenure such values will be respected.
“In the coming Zimbabwe, there will be new and genuine unity, powered by love and mutual respect, where every Zimbabwean is proud to belong and their dignity is protected and well treasured,” added Chamisa.
The post ‘Promise of a unified Zimbabwe dashed due to toxic politics’— says Chamisa, claims Unity Day has lost its lustre appeared first on NewZimbabwe.com.
