Your peace should be your neighbour's peace - Mugabe

President Robert Mugabe has called on the nation to uphold peace and harmony between the leaders and those being led and ensure unity prevails.

President Mugabe was speaking at the 32nd independence celebrations held at the National Sports Stadium in Harare.

In his address to thousands of people gathered for the celebrations the President said: "Your peace should be your neighbour's peace, your happiness should be your neighbour's happiness, be your neighbour's brother. That's what the Bible teaches us.

"There should be that unity and harmony between those being led and those who lead."

President Mugabe said there are many organisations which bring together groups of people and everyone is free to choose the group they feel to join.

"All organisations be it of entertainment, football clubs among others should be united. Maintain them as peaceful entities to which we all freely belong," said the President.

Mugabe also castigated violence saying: "All fights, all struggles that are of a violent nature should be by-gones, they should not interfere with our happiness……..We do not have to fight to win a football match, our legs are not allowed to kick ourselves.

"We must ensure that the fights of yesterday are buried."



Mugabe added that the country is going to have elections soon and everyone has the freedom to a vote for a candidate of their choice.

"People must freely belong to the party of their own choice and freely vote for the person they want to vote for.

"We want peace during campaign meetings."

Speaking about the liberation struggle and the gains of independence the nation enjoys today, the President said: "The struggle was long, brutal and took the commitments and sacrifices of dedicated cadres for the nation to attain its independence."

Turning to drought which has stricken most provinces in the country, Mugabe said the government will extend the grain loan scheme to assist the people in Masvingo, Matabeleland South, parts of Manicaland and Mashonaland East provinces.

"The government should look for food for its nation….it has set aside funding for food and the government continues to enhance programmes targeting orphaned and the vulnerable in the society."

The President congratulated the nation on the attainment of 32 years of independence saying: "As we look forward to the coming year and as we gear ourselves to prepare our young ones for the future…. To do so on behalf of the inclusive government and other principals who are here wish you a happy independence day."

this year's Independence celebrations are being held under the theme: 'Indigenisation and empowerment for social and economic transformation'.