Youths speak on Independence Day celebrations

Nobukhosi Ndlovu, Sunday News Reporter 

AS the country celebrates 44 years of independence this Thursday, youths have taken time to reflect on the revolutionary gains that have brought political, economic and social freedom to them.

This year’s Independence Day celebrations are scheduled for Buhera, in Manicaland Province and are running under the theme, Zim@44: Unity and peace towards achieving Vision 2030.

President Mnangagwa is expected to headline the event.

Sunday News took to the streets of Bulawayo, to hear the youths’ views on what Independence Day celebrations mean to them and how the liberation from colonial rule changed their lives. 

Many young people showed a deeper understanding of what the day means and said their generation feels challenged that the yesteryear youths were alive to the political challenges of their time and decided to take up arms against the colonial injustices that were perpetrated by the Ian Smith regime.

They urged their counterparts not to waste themselves on drugs and substances, but to explore different opportunities to empower themselves and give meaning to economic independence. 

Ethel Nyathi (26)

“As a young person in Zimbabwe, independence has given me a sense of pride and belonging. It has helped me connect with my roots and culture. Also, it has given me the freedom to pursue my dreams and goals. 

“My father participated in the liberation struggle that brought freedom to the country and as his daughter, l benefitted from that, because my whole education was paid for by the War Veterans Fund, in honour of my father. I deeply relate with Independence Day and I am grateful to all those who sacrificed their lives one way or the other.”

Tinashe Ngirandi (22)

“Independence to me, is a time to reflect and celebrate those who made it possible for us to have a free and independent Zimbabwe. With independence, l can show my skills and innovative ideas and express my mind. 

“Independence brought about education and jobs and that is something we have to celebrate and appreciate as a generation. Unlike other countries, where young people can’t explore, develop skills and be independent, as a youth in Zimbabwe, independence equipped me with the freedom of choice. 

“Despite the minor challenges that the country may be facing, l am happy, free and able to explore whatever it is that l put my mind to. Independence is the reason why I stand tall and say, I am proudly Zimbabwean.”

Allan Mbotshwa (29)

“Independence for me means the freedom to express myself and voice my concerns, it gives me the rights accorded to all humans and places me on equal ground with others.  

“The strides and steps that have been taken over the past 44 years, made the citizens’ lives better. As a young person in Zimbabwe, independence is and will always be a big deal to me because it gave us all that the country has to exploit. I am grateful to those who fought long and hard for us to be free.”

Nobesuthu Ndlovu (32)

“Independence to me means being black and empowered. It means l can speak my isiNdebele, Chewa, chiNyanja and chiShona proudly. It means l have the right to cast a vote. As a young person in Zimbabwe, independence has opened doors for me and broke barriers that existed in colonial times, where black people were not qualified for engineering jobs because they were viewed as elite professions. 

“Today, we have more universities in the country and around all provinces, offering different courses. It is also important to note that as young women living in an independent Zimbabwe, we are empowered and represented in all spheres. Young women now, own businesses and are partaking in politics. I am proud to be Zimbabwean because l am independent and I am not ashamed of the colour of my skin.”

Nokuthaba Mpofu (25)

“As a young person in Zimbabwe, independence to me means freedom from all forms of oppression. Zimbabwe’s independence from colonial rule has brought about many benefits to Zimbabweans, especially us the youths. We now have access to education at any institution in the country and the Government has availed various programmes to empower us in key sectors like agriculture, tourism, mining, arts, education and health, among others. As youths, we are now able to partake in politics and the economy of the country. We have been empowered economically and that is a privilege that our forefathers never had. All these, among others, are the benefits of our hard-fought independence.”