The Independence Day invokes mixed feelings amongst Zimbabweans. Some cherish the memories it brings whilst some feel that there is nothing to celebrate yet. Below are comments from prominent politicians, business people and legal minds.
As we commemorate our country's cherished Independence today, the stark reality is that most are reeling from abject poverty & frustrations.State decay, corruption & violence have shuttered the 1980 uhuru dream & ruined livelihoods.Won't rest until we attain change that delivers.
— nelson chamisa🇿🇼 (@nelsonchamisa) April 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/JoiceMujuru_/status/1118796615974817792
ZIMBABWE @ 39 REFLECTIONS
1.FREEDOM is measured by HAPPINESS 2.INDEPENDENCE is measured by SELF-DETERMINATION3.PROSPERITY is measured by QUALITY OF LIFE4.RIGHTS are measured by CONSTITUTIONALISM
TOT FACIENDA PARUM FACTUM – SO LITTLE DONE SO LITTLE TIME LEFT #NOTYETUHURU
— Shingi Munyeza (@ShingiMunyeza) April 18, 2019
I wish us a truly happy Independence Day Zimbabwe…..and a blessed Easter thereafter. pic.twitter.com/4qgFJiZat9
— Jessie F. Majome (@JessieFMajome) April 18, 2019
Happy Independence Day 2019 to all Zimbabweans. Stay Fit, Stay Focussed. See you at Koshens Grounds in Norton on Saturday, 20th April 2019; 09:00hrs to 18:00hrs for an entertaining Family fun Independence Musical Extravaganza featuring Seh Calaz, Kudzi Nyakudya, Senator&many more pic.twitter.com/nitVhSdgW7
— Hon. Temba P. Mliswa (@TembaMliswa) April 18, 2019
I recognize Zimbabwe’s Independence Day 18 April always with mixed feelings ever since I became an adult, a professional economist and businessman. Whilst free from a colonial legacy, we still lack full political freedom let alone attaining anywhere near realizing our economic..
— Nigel MK Chanakira (@nigelchanakira) April 18, 2019
#ZimbabweSurvivalThirty nine years on. Still living from hand to mouth. Worse off. Struggling for survival. An unhappy Independence Day!https://t.co/s8RTrnLHCM
— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) April 18, 2019
As we celebrate independence day, let's remember the sacrifice of our gallant sons and daughter who fought for freedom. Let's pay tribute to 16 young men in pic who were the first respondents to Cyclone Idai disaster, they brought hope to the people of Ngangu. "We salute you" pic.twitter.com/2gvEF8nFoN
— #CitizensInitiativezw #Frontlinerszw #Covid19zw #S (@FazilaMahomed3) April 17, 2019
Independent but not free. We remember Itai Dzamara and many others who have been abused by ZANU-PF in independent Zimbabwe. Not yet Uhuru… pic.twitter.com/O9h1UOSGqY
— Patson Dzamara (@PatsonDzamara) April 18, 2019
Whatever my sentiments towards the present Govt, Independence Day remains important.
I love this country.
I look forward to the day when we can look on the nation we’ve built with pride. Let’s fight for a united, prosperous & free #GreatZimbabwe. 🔥🇿🇼❤️
— Fadzayi Mahere (@advocatemahere) April 17, 2019
Happy Independence Day! Many who in their teens, 20s & 30s rescued this land from colonial invaders who removed our people from fertile lands & drove them to to “Tribal Trust Lands”. Zimbabweans were the only ones in Africa subjected to biological & chemical warfare by Europeans! pic.twitter.com/FG3sKQFrRS
— mmatigari (@matigary) April 18, 2019
As #Zimbabwe marks 39 years of independence today, key to reflect Security Forces abuses against ordinary people https://t.co/SxOpzWxTNW
— Dewa Mavhinga (@dewamavhinga) April 18, 2019
For a country that has no currency of its own, no competitive industry & no jobs, price control is the way to go in order to protect the poor. It’s very unfortunate that cabinet has not foreseen this but it’s time we take necessary steps. Happy 39th Birthday Zimbabwe.
— Hon. Dr Energy Mutodi (PhD) (@energymutodi) April 18, 2019
On 23 March 1975 Herbert Chitepo was murdered by his comrades in Lusaka.Had he lived he would have wanted a Zimbabwe free of poverty repression ,intolerance & hatred.Sadly 44 years later 79 % of our people live in poverty,elections are stolen women are raped.Herbert is not happy
— TENDAI BITI (@BitiTendai) April 18, 2019
Independence day #Zimbabwe 18 April That year My parents named me Harugumi Rozabella Uhuru Mutasa when i was born in 1980, the year white colonial rule offically ended
— harumutasa/aljazeera (@harumutasa) April 18, 2019
This must be lowest attendance at an Independence gathering in Zimbabwe in 39 years. Time for introspection for those who call themselves leaders #Zim39 #ZimAt39 pic.twitter.com/gmQg3dJNhH
— African (@ali_naka) April 18, 2019
Indeed it has been 39 years of national independence. The passage of time and occurrence of negative events does not however take away from the significance of national liberation. Warts and all. Again, we suffer, but we continue. Consciously.
— Takura Zhangazha (@TakuraZhangazha) April 18, 2019
The rain at the National sports stadium in #Harare & the poor attendance at this years #Zim39 Indepey Day commemoration event is telling.
— uMahambayedwa (@koliwemajama) April 18, 2019
Happy Independence Day Zimbabwe. The fight for a better Zimbabwe is still ongoing, but today we honor those before us who laid their lives in the hope of a free Zimbabwe. #ZimbabweAt39 pic.twitter.com/EDzuhTN876
— APA Zimbabwe (@APAZimbabwe) April 18, 2019
Regai tibike hedu ma independence chocolate muffins veduwe hovhoni yapisa. Yesterday pulled out my 2008 bread maker and made some tasty seed loaves. I wish my grandmother was alive – she loved celebrating independence – doing it for you old girl.🥂
— Grace Mutandwa (@GraceMutandwa1) April 18, 2019
Happy independence day Zimbabwe 🇿🇼Not sure which independence though!! pic.twitter.com/zCfAxkskkY
— 🏳️🌈⛈️Stormy 🦄 (@a_queer_unicorn) April 18, 2019
Not yet unhuru. The problem with zanu PF is their erroneous belief that we have achieved true independence just because they go to bed on full bellies, jet around the world and send their children to be the best schools. True Uhuru requires a lot more- equality, apologies, peace https://t.co/hOu21Hssmx
— Chipo Dendere (@drDendere) April 18, 2019