Member of Parliament for Norton, Hon. Temba P. Mliswa’s Statement on Independence Day 2019

Statement begins…..

The 18th April 2019, 39 years since our Zimbabwe, our country, gained its Independence from colonial rule…. What does it mean to you? Looking back we see how far we have come but also how far we still need to go. There has been good and there has been not so good however as we commemorate our Independence all Zimbabweans whether at home or abroad hold the 18th of April close to their hearts.

Personally our Independence Day is a day that I look back with remembrance and pride for people like Mbuya Nehanda, Sekuru Kaguvi, Josiah Tongogara, Nikita Mangena, Joshua Nkomo, Herbert and Victoria Chitepo etc and recall the great sacrifices they made in order for us to gain the freedom we enjoy today. These were men and women of rare courage and foresight, people who could have compromised and settled for personal benefit, but did not. It is a day for us to renew our resolve to fill the gaps that remain in our nation building. Whilst they left us with a free Zimbabwe, long is the journey we have to take towards socio and economic development, unfinished tasks left for us to fulfil. Freedom is not fixed or finite but a constant and relentless endeavour.

Zimbabwe is our country and we are not going anywhere or selling out. This generation has what it takes to lead the country to greater heights and the opportunity should be given. Investment in youth related initiatives ensures that we we harness the unlimited human capital of our youth. National dialogue should be an ongoing process as opposed to an event to ensure that national issues are holistically approached.

A concerted effort is required by all political leaders to put party policies aside and look at national interest. In my crusade against corruption what overwhelming comes to the fore is the critical need for political will to take centre stage. It is not good enough for us to experience exposé after exposé without repercussion as it does nothing to instil accountability, deter or prevent the scourge. We do not want people to reach a stage of whistleblower fatigue, but to be confident that matters arising are dealt with justly and decisively. I will certainly never tire or back down, I owe it to the electorate, I owe it to myself, I owe it to the people of Zimbabwe and I owe it to the generations to follow.

So on that note I wish you all especially those in Norton, a Happy Independence Day 2019 with the encouragement that while we may be experiencing turbulent times, we can only blame ourselves if we do not place Unity, Nationalism and Patriotism first. No one ever said it would be easy but then again is it impossible? I think not. Aluta continua…We are in this struggle for as long as it continues

Statement ends…..