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President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said the launch of the Gukurahundi Outreach Programme signifies the commitment to resolving disputes among Zimbabweans in pursuit of promoting peace and harmony to foster sustainable development.
He made the remarks on the occasion of the launch of the Gukurahundi Community Outreach Programme at State House in Bulawayo on 14 July 2024.
“Today is a pivotal moment in our history. This is the day where we demonstrate that as a country, we are capable of resolving our disputes as Zimbabweans, regardless of their complexity or magnitude. This day is significant and stands equal to many other momentous events in our country that have shaped the trajectory of our independence, unity, and development.
“Fellow Zimbabweans; Our history is a testament to our resilience. We, the children of Zimbabwe, are descendants of warriors and nation-builders. In the face of colonial oppression, we stood united and our collective spirit was a force that could not be broken. Whenever we have been confronted by threats to our nationhood, we have been able to unite and confront the challenge in whatever form or context it presents itself,” President Mnangagwa said.
President Mnangagwa revealed that during the First and Second Chimurenga, Zimbabweans rose in unity against the colonial oppressors despite concerted and sophisticated efforts by the invaders to divide them along tribal lines. It was the combined effort of freedom-seeking Zimbabweans that enabled the country to vanquish the oppressors and emerge victorious as a unified force.
“Today, we are called upon to summon that same spirit once more as we move to launch a great milestone for which we are gathered here. When the history of our post-independence era is written and read by generations to come, surely this day shall not be a footnote in those sacred writings.
“Behind us lies a past etched with both triumph and hardship. The echoes of the liberation struggle still evoke strong emotions and memories, a testament to the unwavering spirit that forged our nation. Yet, within that history is a chapter that cannot be ignored – the Post-Independence conflict in this Region. This chapter serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of unity and the devastating consequences of disunity,” he added.
On his part, Chief Charumbira underscored the need to guard against individuals and civil society organisations that exaggerate and magnify regional grievances whilst at the same time seeking to belittle the efforts at reconciliation and unity at the behest of the country’s detractors.
The Gukurahundi Outreach Programme will be led by Chiefs, who will facilitate open dialogue and empathy-building among communities.
“We are calling for collective strength and participation from all Zimbabweans to achieve the national vision. The healing process may be difficult but it is a necessity for national reconciliation,” Chief Charumbira said.
In February this year, the National Council of Chiefs, mandated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and working with the Ministries of Justice; Local Government; and the Office of the President and Cabinet, held a media sensitisation workshop on Gukurahundi with a focus on bringing people and communities together. Chief Fortune Zephania Charumbira, the President of the Pan African Parliament and Vice President of the National Council of Chiefs, presided over the media engagement meeting on Gukurahundi.
