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Independence Day message: "Not yet uhuru"
Youth Forum
April 16, 2009

29 years under the tutelage of ZANU PF our erstwhile liberator whom we thought was going to practice democracy, observe human rights, promote all fundamental freedoms, sharing state resources equitably and make Zimbabwe a citadel of peace and all imaginable and wishful pretty sounding words. A total opposite of our experiences during the draconian colonial era which was characterised by totalitarianism, brutality, oppression and other forms of dehumanizing the majority.

It is our realization that the stated evils were instead perfected and intensified to the detriment of the generality of Zimbabweans, 'it is suffer continue'. As The Youth Forum 18 April 1980 signifies transition from white rule to black rule, hence it is only the skin colour which changed but the tenets of colonianialism remained in much more evil manner.

With the coming of a new government in 1980 it was unexpected that events such as Gukurahundi, Operation Murambatsvina and June 27 state sponsored retribution against opposition and civic society activists would occur, to mention a few. On March 29 2008 the people's will was very crystal clear only to be subverted forcefully by our erstwhile liberators culminating in a marriage of inconvenience which saw ZANU PF and two MDC formations forming a government of national unity which in fact has more differences than common agendas.

The abuse of human rights continues unabated with fresh farm invasions looming, political prisoners still in custody political violence and hate speech to opposing voices to the inclusive government prevailing. ZANU PF is still dominating state media and violating the Global Political Agreement willy-nilly as evidenced by unilateral dismantling of communications department from the ministry of Information, Communications and Technology, prior to this the same approach was used in appointing permanent secretaries and governors.

These issues remain unsolved and MDC's hands seem to be tied since nothing is happening to contain President Mugabe whose repentance is yet to be established. Equally worrying is the unholy alliance of MDC and ZANU PF in unilaterally carrying out the constitutional making process.

There is no progress in critical issues such as national healing after the motion to carry out that process was shelved in 'the spirit of inclusiveness'. Our demands for Youth initiated National Youth Policy have also fallen on deaf ears. The issue of popularizing independence to The Youth Forum becomes null and void given the given above background. Sons and daughters who sacrificed their lives in the fight for independence were not expecting the mess which is prevailing today.

Independence should not be restricted to paper and speeches by our leaders instead it must be felt by people irregardless of race, ethinicity, sex,social status colour, creed, origin and age group. The much talked about independence is elitist, a monopoly the few 'haves' at the top. NOT YET UHURU.

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