President and First Secretary of ZANU PF Cde ED Mnangagwa says the aspirations of the first Independence Day must live on. Zimbabwe celebrates 40 years of Independence in this whole month of April attained through the sweat and blood of many brave and selfless men and women. Paying his respects to the men and women some of whom fought alongside him, in the fight to free Zimbabwe from colonial rule, President Mnangagwa urged all Zimbabweans to remember the heroes and heroines for the freedom they enjoy today. “40 years ago, we became a self-governing people after nearly a century of settler colonial rule; a sovereign Nation born out of protracted armed struggle. As we celebrate this important milestone in our history, let us not forget those who started the journey, the thousands of gallant freedom fighters who lost their lives and others who lost limbs. All of them made sacrifices so that we can today stand tall, as masters of our own destiny, a free people in our own land,” President Mnangagwa said. “This year, we had planned to celebrate this grand occasion, in Bulawayo Province, marking the beginning of a decentralized way of celebrating this important national day. Devolution in action, as one people, and a united nation, from Beitbridge to Chirundu and from Plumtree to Mutare. However the reality of the COVID-19 Pandemic is seeing us endure a necessary lockdown in our homes. “Although we are physically separated, we are united in spirit. The time to celebrate together shall come. For our founding fathers and gallant heroes and heroines, the patriotic thing to do was to fight for our freedom.” President Mnangagwa highlighted the racial discrimination experienced by the people of Zimbabwe before Independence urging them to treasure it. “The culture of reconciliation remains a fundamental foundation for national unity and racial harmony. Consequently, our socio-economic stature since Independence in 1980, has been greatly transformed. From a racially divided society, riddled with inequalities, we have become a united, non-racial society where our citizens mix and mingle without any regard to colour, creed tribe or region,” the President said. “Let us cherish the enduring legacy and culture of unity and harmony, bequeathed to us by the late founding fathers and heroes of our great land. The 2nd Republic is a Republic of rights, of peace, love, harmony, dialogue and inclusive development which leaves no one behind. In addition, democratic principles, accountability, good governance, the rule of law and constitutionalism, which the gallant heroes of our country fought for, must be consolidated and entrenched. “As a society, let us always uphold and defend our culture, high moral standards, ethics and norms. Corruption has no place in the Zimbabwe we all want. Through us, individually and collectively, the vision, hopes, dreams and aspirations of those who lifted our flag and celebrated the 1st Independence Day 40 years ago, must remain alive. Our beloved Zimbabwe lives. Our proud and free Zimbabwe lives eternally.“Happy 40th Independence Anniversary Zimbabwe!Congratulations. Amhlophe. Makorokoto.