By Margaret Kamba 

In his message ahead of this year's independence celebrations, Johane, the 5th of Africa church founder Archbishop Andby Makururu, has called on Zimbabweans to joyfully celebrate the sacrifice of the heroes and heroines of this country.

Zimbabwe turns 44 years old this week on the 18th of April, and her birthday will be celebrated in Murambinda, Manicaland Province under the theme, "Unity, Peace and Development towards Vision 2030".

Speaking about the importance of the sacrifice, Archbishop Makururu said it is imperative for Zimbabweans to focus on building their country, seeing as this is the reason people lost their lives.

"Zimbabwe celebrates 44 years of independence, which came about through the selfless sacrifice of our heroes and heroines. Many died in places such as Chimoio and Nyadzonia in order for us to enjoy this freedom that we enjoy today. We must rejoice and celebrate our independence because shots were fired so that we could be free. Let us celebrate with a focus on building our country.

"We see the numerous developments registered under the Second Republic with the visionary leadership of His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa among them infrastructure development, road rehabilitation, a new currency backed by gold and how the engagement and re-engagement policy in working, we must therefore support these efforts and that of the revolutionary Party, ZANU PF which brought about this independence.

"As the indigenous churches, we have the freedom of worship, and the black man is able to do that which he never used to under the colonial regime. Let us, therefore, jealously safeguard this independence and build our Zimbabwe."