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PYD Independence message
Platform for Youth Development
April 17, 2012

The Platform for Youth Development (PYD) joins the rest of the nation in celebrating Zimbabwe's 32 years of independence. It is with great pleasure and joy that we the young people of Zimbabwe enjoy the fruits of the blood and sweat of our selfless guerrilla fighters that spilled in trenches, rivers and bushes around the country for us to gain independence.

The protracted struggle that led to the birth of Zimbabwe was premised on the need to create a free and independent society where the right to ownership of land and means of production is a reserve of the black majority. The liberation struggle was premised on the need to create a free and democratic Zimbabwe where every citizen is equal before the law. This noble and genuine cause was the sole reason why our parents and those that did not participate in the war found it necessary to give all their support for the success of the armed struggle.

We mourn and whimper when the true tenets of the liberation struggle falls in the hands of greedy politicians who are failing to reciprocate and embrace the same spirit that pushed thousands of Zimbabwean children into the forest to deliver independence which latter-day politicians selfishly abuse under the guise of nationalism and patriotism.

As young people we are deeply saddened realising how politicians of this day are infringing on the rights of fellow Zimbabweans who are being thrown into jails and detention for exercising their right to affiliate to any political groupings of choice.

We long for a Zimbabwe where the values of independence and freedom are the cornerstone of governance in our latter-day Zimbabwe. As PYD, it is our firm conviction that the true values of independence and freedom that forced the defenceless Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi to stand up and fight the white men have not been truly respected by the current scheme of selfish and avaricious politicians who believe that they have the God given right to rule this country even when they truly know that their ever-failing health is no-longer permissive.

We question the spirit of freedom and democracy when we see certain politicians refusing to hand over power. They surround themselves with bootlickers and looters transforming Zimbabwe into a looters club and eavesdropping on everyone who plans to challenge their power. Could this be the same ideals of freedom and justice that led to the death of patriotic sons and daughters of Zimbabwe in the armed struggle.

Young people continue to be secluded in the empowerment initiatives by the same people blowing trumpets on top of mountains claiming to be masters of true independence. The genuine land reform programme ended up falling into the trap of politicians who tarnished the noble cause due to their greedy tendencies. What worries the generality of the young people in Zimbabwe is whether the current empowerment drive is another gimmick by the powers that be to abuse the values of independence for their own self aggrandisement.

We question the true meaning of independence when Zimbabweans continue to lose their land for cheap reasons such as job creation and development. The people of Chisumbanje in Chipinge have lost their land to Green Fuel yet the same government that presided over the land grab continue to say we are independent.

PYD stands for true independence and freedom of all citizens regardless of color, ethnicity, sex and age. We cannot have a nation where one party claims ownership of Zimbabwe's independence. The freedom fighters lodged war against the white regime to free Zimbabwe and not create a new bondage for the same people they freed.

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