The ManicaPost
Finally, the reason for her callous murder and the subsequent ostracism of the indigenous populace by the unrepentant Rhodies has come to fruition. Nehanda and her gallant fighters had the nation’s interest at heart; they resisted to their death, the heinous attempt by the settlers to enslave them. Fellow chiefs such as Chingaira were beheaded, with suspicion being that his head is being kept in some museum in Europe for defending the nation from servitude. Isn’t it befitting that the nation has cause for celebrating the events which unfolded at Chifundi Farm in Lions’ Den near Chinhoyi where President Mugabe gave 79 farmers A1 settlements permits.
The move safeguarded the gains ascertained this far by the revolutionary agrarian reforms. That more than 8000 people graced the event is a testimony to the significance of the occasion. The handing over ceremony is indeed a milestone, a tale unveiling, that Zimbabwe is a sovereign state, a truly liberated nation. Zimbabwe is a product of the toil of surviving and the spilt blood of the dedicated gallant sons and daughters of the soil.
The permits have given hope to a restive population whose entire lives derive pleasure from the products of the land. To them, the land is the economy and the economy is the land. The populace expects the permit to be bankable; it must be able to give them the financial muscle, thus acting as collateral, to finance their agricultural activities. Yes, Government has promised that it is working on a modality to ensure that the permit attracts funding. Surely, no stone should remain unturned in that noble thrust. It will give value to the Zanu-PF well thought truism that the land is the economy and the economy is the land. The permit gives permanent tenure, as much as the land recipient has permanent rights to the land, the State’s eyes will always hover above to rid any unscrupulous manoeuvres by the detractors of the land reform programme.
The document is also gender sensitive as it allows even divorcees to retain the land. In the theatre of development, certainty is of paramount importance, a scenario which has been guaranteed by the availability of permits. The farmers can now plan ahead, a component which is critical if success is to be realised. It must be remembered that failing to plan is certainly planning to fail. Now the fear of the unknown which had previously engulfed the new farmers has now been replaced by a renewed sense of hope and optimism. The possibilities with the land are now unlimited. It is now the ingenuity of the individual that is of paramount importance. At this stage, Zimbabwe needs farmers with a passion to unlock the enormous value inherent in the farms.
To all those doubting Thomasses who had thought the revolutionary party, Zanu-PF was positing a political gimmick when it legally compulsorily acquired land to redress the colonial land imbalances, then the truth is there for them to relish. Zanu-PF has proved to all who care to listen that its land reform programme is real and practical. The party has also undertaken the programme with the support of the mass as evidenced by the incredible land uptake plus the massive land inquiries to date.
Those who had initially expressed scepticism either out of ignorance or external pressure have finally seen light at the end of the tunnel. Yes, unanimity exists amongst the populace as to the importance of the agrarian reforms. Zimbabweans agree that the land was never European by any context hence the government initiative to return it to its genuine owners was always noble.
In fact, this writer believes that the Europeans especially the former colonial master, Britain, has the moral obligation to compensate Zimbabweans for having illegally amassed land at a heavy cost of the indigenous people’s lives. Lest some forget, the freedom that the country enjoys today came at a price. It took thousands of gallant sons and daughters, some living and others who were lost in the gruelling and bitter war of liberation to enjoy the basic of freedom, such as one man, one vote.
It is equally important to remind the populace that the land which the British crave for as it was their own was never theirs. The land has always been Zimbabwean and for Zimbabweans. The British are masters of deceit who shamelessly punished an innocent people, Zimbabweans, who are claiming what rightfully belongs to them, their land. Now that the land is with the people, it is incumbent upon Zimbabweans to work on the land religiously. That way, the glory days of the nation being the bread basket are beckoning. The country’s economy is agriculturally driven; it is the pivot to the country’s economic revival. The nation needs agricultural exports for it to meet its external debt obligations. The nation needs a revitalised agricultural sector to feed its people. The Zanu-PF led Government has taken the bull by its horns by delivering on its pro-people agenda, the land and its legal safeguard, the settlement permit. Let the nation celebrate on this mammoth achievement. It has been worth the wait.
Muchadura Dube is a Nyanga-based farmer and political analyst.
