VICE-PRESIDENT Constantino Chiwenga has underscored the need for youths to preserve the foundational values of the liberation struggle at a time when war veterans are rapidly passing on.
Chiwenga was speaking at the funeral wake of Miriam Kangai, wife of the late former Cabinet minister and national hero Kumbirai Kangai.
Kangai succumbed to cancer-related complications in South Africa, where she had gone to seek medical attention.
She was buried at the Glen Forest Memorial Park in Harare.
Addressing mourners yesterday, Chiwenga reiterated that the liberation struggle was primarily fought for self-determination and equitable
distribution of land, challenging the youths to do all they can to uphold these values.
According to Chiwenga, all other grievances that triggered the liberation war were fundamentally rooted in the need to achieve self-determination and access to land.
“It is imperative that our youth recognise the sacrifices made by our heroes to ensure that every voice counts and that land is returned to its rightful owners,” he said.
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“The liberation struggle was primarily fought for two fundamental reasons: the principle of 'one man, one vote' and the return of our land. While other issues were raised, they served merely as justifications rather than the core objectives of our fight.”
His remarks come as debate intensifies over proposed constitutional amendments that would allow Parliament to elect the president — a move critics say contradicts the “one man, one vote” principle that underpinned the liberation war.
Constitution Amendment Bill No.3 was gazetted last week and it proposes to grant Parliament powers to elect the president, rather than through the one-man, one-vote system that constituted one of the major grievances of the liberation war.
Since last year, Chiwenga has publicly condemned corruption in government, describing it as a deviation from the values of the liberation struggle, which he says are anchored in the equitable distribution of resources.
He coined the term Zvigananda to describe corrupt individuals looting the country while citizens suffer.
“I reflect on the contributions of our leaders, such as Cde Chitepo and Cde Kangai, who were members of the war council,” Chiwenga said.
“I remember the moment when Cde Charles Dauramanzi received me and my colleagues as we joined the struggle; these experiences are now memories that should never fade.”
He added: “It is essential for us to remember that this country was won through sacrifice. It is sacred. People died, blood was shed and we must never allow ourselves to forget that the freedoms we enjoy today came at a cost.
“What we must focus on now is safeguarding the legacy of those who fought for our liberty. We are determined to realise our aspirations as a country, and I believe that, in time, our nation will be a source of admiration for others.”
