The MDC values the contribution of patriotic Zimbabweans who have over the years paid the ultimate price in their quest to bring about real change in the country of their birth.The story of Zimbabwe, from 1890 to the present day, is the story of committed patriots who have stoically fought for peace, justice and democracy. The Shona and Ndebele uprisings of the 1890s marked the beginning of the quest for real change and the resistance to oppression and injustice. Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi became the manifestation and embodiments of the early struggle for real change.
As we celebrate this years heroess day, we must equally remember the struggle of the working people in the townships. Charles Mzingeli and Benjamin Burombo became the icons of the early struggles of the 1960s. Joshua Nkomo, Herbert Wiltshire Chitepo, Josiah Magama Tongogara, Ndabaningi Sithole, Edgar Tekere, Lookout Masuku, Jason Ziyapapa Moyo, Sheba Gava and Mayor Urimbo represent a crop of patriotic Zimbabweans who chose to resist colonialism and oppression.
On heroes day next week, Zimbabwe must also spare a thought for the heroes of real change; those who lost life and limb as they sought to complete the unfinished business of our liberation struggle. Isaac Matongo, Talent Mabika, Tichaona Chiminya, Thabitha Marume, Learnmore Jongwe, Tonderai Ndira and Joshua Bakacheza represent a real change crop of heroes and heroines.
The MDC is proud of this generation of patriots and democrats, a generation which has perished while on national duty to fulfil the false hope of 1980. We are proud of the unsung heroes and heroines in the villages and the in the urban townships who have known no peace since the war of liberation. Yesterday, they were murdered by the colonialist. Today, there is black on black oppression and violence.
As a party, we reject the partisan selection of the countrys heroes. We demand an all-inclusive, credible and legitimate body of eminent persons to determine and confer hero status. Our national shrine must not be bastardised by parochial, partisan political interests. We reject the primitive politics of a partisan body determining who we lay on the sacred soils of the National Heroes Acres.
The MDC salutes all Zimbabwes heroes; those who have sacrificed their lives in the struggle for a new Zimbabwe and a new beginning. From 1980 to 2010, Zimbabweans remain in pursuit of the elusive dream of achieving real change. For over 100 years, we have sought to achieve hope, dignity, prosperity, security, freedom and real change.
Our current struggle must not fail the people.
Together, united, winning, ready for real change.
Post published in: World News