The Movement for Democratic Change says the declaration of President Robert Mugabe’s birthday, 21 February, as a public holiday is an insult to the country’s liberation heroes because Mugabe is not a demi-God and there are more deserving Zimbabweans than Mugabe.
“Robert Mugabe is not Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe is not Robert Mugabe,” MDC-T spokesman Obert Gutu said.
“This weird and boot–licking concept of reducing Zimbabwe into a personal fiefdom of Robert Mugabe and his family must be condemned in the strongest of terms.
“Zimbabwe is the land of many distinguished nationalists and national heroes such as Joshua Nkomo, Herbert Chitepo, Jason Ziyapapa Moyo, Josiah Magama Tongogara, Leopold Takawira, Eddison Zvobgo, Samuel Parirenyatwa and many other illustrious sons and daughters of the soil.
“What then makes Robert Mugabe so special as to warrant the declaration of his official birthday as a public holiday in Zimbabwe? “
The MDC-T said Zimbabwe already has a Heroes’ public holiday that commemorates the lives of all heroes and heroines of this country.
Nationalists like Joshua Nkomo and Herbert Chitepo entered the hustle and bustle of politics years before Robert Mugabe even dreamt of becoming an active politician.
“These nationalist luminaries, indeed, have a much higher and more iconic heroe status when compared to the likes of Robert Mugabe who was not even there when both ZAPU and ZANU were formed.
“The MDC fervently and passionately advocates for the building of strong national institutions as opposed to building strong personalities.
“We appreciate that people and leaders come and go but Zimbabwe will always be there for generations to come. Thus, no single Zimbabwean should be venerated and idolised to the extent of making them a demi- God.”
The MDC-T said it was an insult to the suffering and toiling youths of Zimbabwe to declare 21 February as a National Youth Day.
“What has Robert Mugabe done for the youths besides trashing their dreams and destroying their hopes and aspirations through decades of misrule, mismanagement of the national economy and rampant corruption?”
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