The Standard has published a Nelson Chamisa Heroes Day message in which he implores Zimbabweans to take part in changing “unmerited circumstances and harsh realities of joblessness, hopelessness and poverty.”
An excerpt from the message:
Today, this once breadbasket of Africa is now a basket case. Surely, this stands out as a betrayal of the ideals of the liberation struggle. Incredibly, Zimbabwe houses vast wealth, exceptionally talented human resources, rich minerals, fertile lands and natural wonders.
The opportunities for economic transformation and prosperity are limitless and immediately available if we have a people’s government, one that cares about the nation.
The population of our young and very educated people makes an ambitious economic growth path more certainly achievable in our lifetime.
My fellow citizens, nothing short of a political solution through national dialogue will extricate our country from the jaws of impoverishment and suffering
We must have genuine comprehensive political and electoral reforms to transform our country and make it prosperous again
Let us be the heroes of our time by bringing back that glitter, glamour and glory to our motherland.
The cost of doing nothing far exceeds the cost of doing something. We must change our unmerited circumstances and harsh realities of joblessness, hopelessness and poverty. That work begins today by fixing our politics and governance deficits.
It is heart-wrenching to note that war veterans who were at the centre of the struggle for our independence are living under squalid conditions and without any social or economic support from the state.
The men and women who fought for the independence of this country from colonial rule had a vision and aspirations. Sadly that vision has being shattered by criminal behaviour and selfish, personal pursuits for wealth.
The vision that has been set by our forefathers and yet betrayed by their successors is not far beyond our reach, but only if we start working now.
Zimbabwe celebrates its Heroes Day on the 12th of August.
More: The Standard