Saluting the Greatest Son of Africa
Posted by ZDN on February 11, 2010
Zimbabwe Democracy Now and all its fellow democracy movements join together today, February 11, 2010 to salute Nelson Mandela on the 20th anniversary of his triumphant walk to freedom after a 27-year ordeal as a political prisoner on Robben Island.
In his first speech to the emotional crowds outside the city hall in Cape Town, Mandela’s first words were, “I greet you all in the name of peace, democracy and freedom for all.”
He waved to the cheering mass of 50 000 South Africans, media corps, diplomats and visitors and said, “We call on our people to seize this moment so that the process towards democracy is rapid and uninterrupted. We have waited too long for our freedom.”
Robert Mugabe sent his formal congratulations to Nelson Mandela on that day, too. In 1990 Mugabe had already been in power for ten years; he had an horrific genocide on his record and was routinely imprisoning and torturing many of his political opponents. But that didn’t stop him from claiming liberation-hero kinship with South Africa’s revered icon and president-to-be.
Years later, at a banquet to celebrate his 90th birthday, a retired Mandela voiced his disappointment that ‘peace, democracy and freedom for all’ had not yet been achieved in Africa. He said, “Nearer to home we had seen the outbreak of violence against fellow Africans in our own country and the tragic failure of leadership in our neighbouring Zimbabwe.”
Madiba knows that Zimbabwe has been independent for 30 years, but it is still waiting for its freedom.
Zimbabweans have always shared kinship with South Africans; traditionally we consider South Africa to be our ally. Many of us have taken refuge there, fleeing our beloved homeland where Mugabe’s brutal regime has robbed us of the means to earn a living. As Zimbabweans cheer for Nelson Mandela on this milestone anniversary, so we also weep for our broken country and our scattered families. As we salute the greatest son of Africa, so we urge our own leaders to embrace Mandela’s humanitarian values.
Zimbabweans wholeheartedly share Nelson Mandela’s proud vision for Africa: Peace, democracy and freedom for all. May this at last be the year that it becomes reality in Zimbabwe.
We salute Africa’s greatest statesman and, in unison with our South African brothers and sisters, we pray for his continued health and happiness on this day and for many years to come.
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02-14-2010
7:46 pm
Luis Mash
Thanks for your publications. I just wish to contribute on your space or on the Zimbabwean Situation thru you.
My message is to Zim politicians.
1] Please put a stop to road traffic bribery activities by police and VID and also that we find at customs points-BUSINESSES ARE FAILING and people are suffering because of this.
2] Harness Chiadzwa diamonds, as you would do for other resources – for national development; why cant government get a commercial partner who is willing to get, say, 20 %. Diamonds are easy to mine, are God given and should be for Zimbabweans not greedy individuals.
3] Why should government pay for presidential fund students huge amounts of fees at the expense of local universities. Surely can this not be reversed for the benefit of 100 fold masses
4] Why should government buy food imports for over 5oom$ instead of logically loaning out the same amounts to farmers to produce more than double the same amount would produce.
5] Government should put in place patriotic experts to chart the economic agenda for the country. Wealth and employment creation should not be difficult in a resource rich country like ours. Compared to Britain, we have a debt burden of 6billion $ but UK has a budget deficit of 178b. pounds. It’s population is 66million but we are just 12.But UK is 100 times well off than us.
6] Let it be known to all and sundry that a new Zimbabwe is coming . However those standing in its way should be advised to desist or risk retribution when ‘it’ arrives. A new Zimbabwe will take on board every patriotic citizen regardless of party lines or tribe or ethnic or racial background. Any leadership role of any candidate should be based on contributions- past and now .
7] Lastly, PLEASE SPEED UP the process of bringing Zimbabwe back to the people. God will bless you for that.