Maravi

(HERALD) Foreigners welcome as partners: War vets

Foreigners welcome as partners: War vets
Saturday, 19 November 2011 00:00

ZIMBABWE'S sovereignty is non-negotiable and outsiders will only be welcome as partners in exploiting natural resources for the nation's development, war veterans have said.

Speaking during a war veterans and youths tour of Chimoio shrines on Wednesday, Zanu-PF central committee member Cde Hubert Nyanhongo said the country's destiny lies in the hands of Zimbabweans. The group comprised members from Harare South Constituency and Mutare Women's League.

"Freedom came through a protracted armed struggle and only Zimbabweans have the right to determine their destiny," he said, while warning agents of regime change that their efforts were futile.
The group visited the Chimoio shrines to acquaint themselves with the history of the liberation struggle and view the mass graves where thousands of men, women and children massacred by Rhodesian forces were interred.

Cde Nyanhongo, a survivor of the Chimoio attacks, and Zanu-PF legislator for Harare South Constituency, implored youths to respect liberation war heroes and the sacrifices they made regardless of having different beliefs and political affiliations.

"This respect does not matter which political party you support. They died fighting for the freedom you are enjoying today and without them some of you would not have formed the opposition parties that you have.

"Let us accord them the honour they deserve," he said.

Zanu-PF national consultative assembly member Cde Alice Mutindori and war veteran Cde Washington Bangalila - both survivors of the Chimoio massacre - showed the group around the shrines.

Cde Bangalila said youths should spurn cheap political ideologies seeking to advance imperialist interests.

"These are the occasions where we examine and re-examine our past and present in relation to our ideals and virtues in order to ensure that they will continue to be affirmed, asserted and enhanced by fulfilment in future," he said. He challenged Government to spruce up the Chimoio area.

"The National Museum and Monuments should do more at these shrines. The flags need to be changed as they are old and more toilets need to be built and those who look after the area also need to be catered for," he said. Cde Mutindori, who led the Mutare delegation, said Zimbabweans should make an "introspection" and help war veterans in defeating the agents and machinations of regime change.

"Our country came from somewhere and people should know the reality. There was five days of extensive bombing here and a lot of blood was shed. We want you to help us in defending the country at all cost," she said.

The youths pledged to defend the nation at all costs. Twelve-year-old Kudakwashe Murozvi said he was touched by the history that surrounds the Chimoio massacre.
"I am going to tell my friends, even my parents, about the importance of defending the country. When you are first told about these stories for the first time you will think that its all about politics but now

I have saw the truth on the ground and I will support people with a history," he said.

The group spent the night at the shrines celebrating the lives of the heroes and many war veterans gave testimonies of how they survived the brutal attacks.

Labels: NEOCOLONIALISM, WAR VETERANS

posted by MrK @ 5:09 PM