By Evans Dakwa
Zimbabwe turned 44 today and President Emmerson Mnangagwa has urged the country’s citizens to take pride and be masters of our national development. Delivering his keynote independence address to the nation, the President implored Zimbabweans to use social media as a tool for development in era where social media abuse has been on the rise.
“Let us encourage the use of our local languages to preserve our diverse and unique traditions and culture. Social media platforms must be used responsibly to defend our independence and national pride as well as to educate, maintain unity, harmony and drive production and productivity in all our communities, said the First Citizen in a speech read on his behalf in Beitbridge by the District Administrator, Sikhangezile Mafu.
The people who waged the liberation struggle against the colonial regime had unity of purpose and a single agenda which they duly achieved in April of 1980. Plucking a leaf from that tree, President Mnangagwa rallied the nation to unite as the country forges ahead with economic development after attaining the political one.
“We remain united, living in peace and harmony, developing our country, emboldened by our philosophy that; “Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatirwa nevene vayo. Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhu-le-kelwe ngabanikazi balo”. We are boldly building, governing and praying for our country, brick by brick, stone upon stone and step by step.”
“We, the people of this great nation always emerge victorious. We are masters of our own destiny, a united and resilient people, the descendants of the great Munhumutapa. We shall continue marching forward as one people,” he added.
He also chronicled the significant strides the country has made since attaining independence in various sectors including education, health, Information Communication and Technology, Tourism manufacturing , energy and broadcasting services. On infrastructure development, President Mnangagwa reiterated the second republic’s commitment to the modernisation agenda towards vision 2030.
“Following the successful completion of the Harare-Beitbridge Highway, focus is now on the Harare to Chirundu Highway to create completion of North-South Corridor which vital international trunk road, essential for Zimbabwe’s trade with neighbouring countries”
HE took time to complement the private sector for complementing government efforts in developing nation Zimbabwe.