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(TALKZIMBABWE) Zimbabwe's sovereignty non-negotiable: Pres Mugabe

Zimbabwe's sovereignty non-negotiable: Pres Mugabe
The Herald/TZG
Tue, 19 Jan 2010 02:18:00 +0000

President Robert Mugabe and his wife Amai Grace Mugabe arrive for the burial of national heroine Amai Sunny Takawira at National Heroes Acre in Harare January 18, 2010. REUTERS

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe said that Zimbabwe’s sovereignty is non-negotiable and outsiders will only be entertained as partners in exploiting its resources for the development of the nation. He said Zimbabwe’s destiny lies in Zimbabwean hands.

The president was delivering a eulogy at the Heroes Acre burial of liberation struggle heroine Amai Sunny Ntombiyelanga Takawira. Amai Takawira was the widow of the late veteran nationalist and first Zanu vice president Leopold Takawira.

"Her death comes at a time when the country is going through challenging moments both in terms of economic recovery and political stability.

"All those who lie buried here fought for one thing — an independent Zimbabwe whose destiny lies in the hands of its citizens.

"This is the enduring legacy that we the surviving ones should guard jealously and bequeath to future generations," President Mugabe told mourners.

President Mugabe accused former colonizer Britain and the United States of meddling in Zimbabwe’s internal affairs, saying Zimbabweans must resist foreign domination.

He added that Zimbabwe’s interests came first and the citizenry must be prepared to defend these.

"The country’s sovereignty is non-negotiable, and the unity of our people remains paramount in all our endeavours.

"Equally, peace in our country must continue to prevail to ensure that development will occur uninterrupted.

"Let us honour our heroes by ensuring that each one of us, wherever we are, promotes unity, harmony and peace in our country."

Describing the heroine as "a special woman", the President said Mai Takawira's death had touched many Zimbabweans.

He said Mai Takawira had devoted her entire life to national service and raising her family.

"She executed her responsibilities and duties faithfully, humbly and with passion, but all the time avoiding drawing public attention to herself.

"Amai Takawira was publicity-shy and allowed her good works to speak eloquently for themselves.

"No wonder many people might ask, who this person is the country has bestowed the honour of national heroine status."

President Mugabe’s relationship with the Takawira family dates back to the time the late former Zanu vice president Takawira was at Kutama Mission.

President Mugabe and the late Takawira both worked as teachers before they joined hands in such political parties as the National Democratic Party, Zapu and Zanu.

"Cde Takawira started the NDP with others when I was in Ghana and when I came back, that is when I got to know her.

"She was looking after a big family in Highfield.

"She, however, looked after the family. She made sure that the family was fed and when we were arrested and detained, Amai Takawira suffered in the hands of the colonialists," he said.

The President said Mai Takawira’s legacy was a resolute and strong person who never looked back was admirable.

"She remained morally straight and was respected by everyone. Although she was persecuted by the settler regime for providing information to political detainees, she never wavered.

President Mugabe said at the time of Ian Smith's Unilateral Declaration of Independence, revolutionaries were taken to Harare Central Prison and Takawira became ill due to diabetes. He was refused medication.

"He was put in solitary confinement as the authorities accused him of trying to sneak out of prison to see his wife who worked at Harare Hospital.

"He was only discovered later when he had collapsed and was found lying on the floor of his cell.

He said Mai Takawira was never informed of the illness or death of her husband, but she never waivered, remaining resolute in her fight for freedom.

"Amai Takawira remained resolute and fought till we achieved independence," President Mugabe said in vernacular Shona.

After independence in 1980, President Mugabe said, Government recognised Mai Takawira’s contribution to the struggle and honoured her with a Senate seat.

"As a senator, she continued to look after her family and today is a day to give her the respect she deserves.

Amai Takawira was born on July 2, 1927 in Dube Village under Chief Madhuna in Filabusi, Matabeleland South Province.

A second child and the oldest girl in a family of seven, she grew up in Nkayi and was educated at Hope Fountain Mission.

She trained as a nurse at Mnene Mission Hospital in Mberengwa and on graduation worked at Gokwe Mission.

In 1955, she joined Harare Central Hospital and was among the pioneer nurses in the Casualty and Outpatients Department.

She married Cde Takawira that year and beca-me a stepmother to his six children.

Amai Takawira had three children — Samuel Hamandishe, Leo Tafirenyika and Gertrude Ratidzo.

She died at 82 on Wednesday from complications arising from a surgical operation.

She is survived by two of her children — Samuel Hamandishe and Gertrude — and eight grandchildren.

Present at the funeral were the two Vice Presidents Joice Mujuru and John Nkomo, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his deputies Arthur Mutambara and Thokozani Khupe, Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku, Senate President Edna Madzongwe, Cabinet ministers, Zanu PF Politburo members, parliamentarians, service chiefs and Deputy Harare Mayor Emmanuel Chiroto. - The Herald/TZG

Labels: FDI, GRACE MUGABE, INDEPENDENCE, MUGABE, NEOLIBERALISM, SOVEREIGNTY

posted by MrK @ 6:05 AM