Zimbabwe on Wednesday marked its 38th independence anniversary from colonial rule, but for the first time former leader Robert Gabriel Mugabe, was absent at the country’s national celebrations in the capital, Harare.
However, the leader of the main opposition the Movement for Democratic Change, Nelson Chamisa, was part of the commemorations for the first time, signalling a departure from previous years where they used to boycott national events.
For the first time in close to two decades since independence, a new face lights the independence flame and a slight departure from previous tradition.
The first lady released 38 doves in recognition of the 38 years of freedom. There was a military fly past and military drills then the head of state took to the podium bubbling with confidence.
“We are hugely encouraged by the goodwill our country continues to receive from around the world. This renewed domestic and foreign investor confidence has seen our projected economic growth increase from 3,7% last year to 4, 5% in 2018,” said Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Another show of confidence to the new administration was the presence of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change during the celebrations. In the past they used to boycott all national celebrations.
“We have set out our national vision to build a middle economy country by 2030 with increased investment, broad based empowerment, decent jobs and a country free from poverty and corruption, granted that the task is great, the pace of change is not always as we would have liked and we will not achieve all our goals overnight,” said Mnangagwa.
As Zimbabwe prepares for a watershed election in a few months’ time, Mnangagwa continued his call for peace and a non-violent campaign period and said he had opened the doors and invited SADC, African Union and European Union countries to observe the elections.
“Zimbabwe will rise again and be great. Comrades and friends, one of the most evident changes in the past few months has been the renewed spirit of unity, optimism and determination among our people. Once again we are free to dream, to hope and to believe,” said Mnangagwa
