Independence "/ɪndɪˈpɛnd(ə)ns/"
noun
noun: independence
noun
noun: independence
- the fact or state of being independent.
- Independence is a condition of a person, nation, country, or state in which residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory. The opposite of independence is the status of a dependent territory.
One cannot be independent and be caged at the same time. Independence means freedom, happiness and living a dignified life through being incapacitated to express your right as an individual or as a nation. Zimbabwe gained its independence status in 1980. However, for forty-three (43) years, the so-called liberators or freedom fighter have clamped down the Zimbabwean citizens through constant abuse of human rights, political suppression, corruption amongst other national terrorism tendencies and acts.
One party dominance through Zanu PF has promoted looting of natural resources with the Chinese as the protagonists claiming to bail Zimbabwe from the so-called economic sanctions. Chinese companies control the mining of gold, coal, diamonds besides other minerals in Zimbabwe at the expense of the general locals who are poverty stricken.
In 2017, former president Robert Mugabe, announced the missing of USD15 billion, a case with no investigation and no arrests to date. The economy is contracting and poverty is above 70% with many Zimbabwe unable to afford basic essentials. In 2018, citizens protested against rigged election results by Zanu PF and 6 civilians were killed. The Zimbabwean army generals denied that soldiers shot civilians despite widely published photographs and video footage showing the army soldiers firing on people in Harare’s streets. Again, no investigations were done, no arrests were done. In fact, this porous governance and Zanu PF systems, is a driver of unaccountability, injustice and anarchism
As the citizens’ future face total inhalation through hunger, poverty, unemployment, terror, corruption, abuse of rights and freedom of expression in Zimbabwe, there seems to be no reason for one to think self as independent or to enact in celebrations.
Instead of celebrating the acclaimed independence, as Zimbabwean let’s reaffirm our mindset for courage, a brighter future and get ready to vote for a better leadership. Independence means prosperity. Independence means freedom. Independence means dignity!