mbulelo smpofu
Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
SCORES of Bulawayo residents are tomorrow (Monday) expected to converge at the Large City Hall for a prayer service to mark the national Unity Day commemorations after which a soccer match between Harare and Bulawayo legends will be played at White City Stadium.
The nation today commemorates Unity Day following the signing of the Unity Accord in 1987 between the late former President, Robert Gabriel Mugabe and the late Vice-President, Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo.
That development has been described as a milestone that brought peace to the nation, creating a conducive environment for individual and national growth.
In an interview with Sunday News, Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Mr Paul Nyoni confirmed the two events lined up in the province, as part of the Unity Day commemorations.
“We shall be having a prayer service at the Large City Hall on Monday morning which will be graced by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube and the Mayor, Councillor David Coltart as well as all the heads of denominations.
“Later in the afternoon, there is going to be a legends soccer match which will not only focus on Unity Day but also raise awareness on drug abuse at White City Stadium. We will have legends from Bulawayo playing against legends from Harare. We are working on that and the sports commission is working on that,” said Mr Nyoni.
Meanwhile, the nation has been called upon to reflect on this special day with a view of getting inspiration to work in one spirit for the development of the nation.
In an interview with Sunday News, Zanu-PF Politburo Member who was the first Matabeleland South Zanu- PF provincial chairman and the last PF-Zapu chairman for the same province, Cde Richard Ndlovu said the Unity Accord was very important as it brought peace to the country.
“To promote the objectives of the Unity Accord, people should be in one spirit, work together as this will bring about development in the nation. The leaders who led us to the Unity Accord played their part and worked tirelessly to leave behind this foundation. It is now up to us who remain to see how best we can build on it so that we also leave a very dignified path and way of life,” said Cde Ndlovu.
He said the Unity Accord came after the late Reverend Canaan Banana began talks with the then Prime Minister Mugabe to find a way in which there could be peace.
“Rev Banana also spoke to the late Vice- President Joshua Nkomo and a committee was formed which was to set up terms of the Accord. Both parties then agreed and it was signed on 22 December 1987. People welcomed this accord and that is when the two parties, ZAPU and ZANU were integrated into Zanu-PF,” said Cde Ndlovu.
Cde Ndlovu said while the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa has done well in terms of development if the nation embraces President Mnangagwa’s vision and work together in one spirit, the nation would develop further particularly in the southern region of the country.
“The President is committed to changing the face of the country with infrastructure development. We might be lagging behind concerning the state of the roads but what we hope is that next year’s budget will enable significant works to be done.
“We also hope work is going to be done to construct more dams, particularly in the southern region where drought hit us hard.
“That is the purpose of the Unity Accord, the people work in one spirit and the Government supports them in the development of the nation so that everyone lives comfortably,” said Cde Ndlovu.
“I know that in the next three to five years, significant development will be made in Matabeleland. If you look at works that have happened in Beitbridge, Gwayi-Shangani, Hwange power stations, irrigation facilities to mention but a few, one can see the progress being made,” Cde Ndlovu.
This year marks 37 years since the signing of the Unity Accord, which brought about lasting peace and unity in Zimbabwe.
The pact was a culmination of two years of pain-staking negotiations between 1985 and 1987 pitting Zanu-PF and PF-Zapu.
Cde Robert Mugabe, now late, who was then Prime Minister of the country and leader of Zanu-PF signed the accord on behalf of his party, while PF-Zapu leader, Dr Joshua Nkomo signed on behalf of his party. –@nyeve14
