News / National
HEAL ZIMBABWE commemorates Africa Day
27 May 2015 at 08:28hrs | Views
Heal Zimbabwe Trust has joins the rest of the world in commemorating Africa Day celebrated on the 25th of May each year.
This year's theme, "…We are Africa-Opening the doors of learning and culture from Cape to Cairo…" comes in the wake of recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
"The theme reminds all Africans that we have a mandate to desist from a culture of violence and adopt the spirit of Ubuntu. Africans must rebuild the moral fabric founded on the respect of one's human rights and dignity," said Heal Zimbabwe in a statement.
"The Africa Day commemorations were set aside after a realisation of the need for a better Africa and a better world. However, in Africa, democracy continues to suffer setbacks due to civil war, abuse of human rights and rigging of elections."
The organisation said therefore, 25 May is an opportunity for African Governments to measure and evaluate their achievements in line with the ideals of the liberation struggle and what can be done to better the lives of many Africans who have suffered at the hands of these very same Governments.
"This year's theme should prompt African Governments to go back to the drawing board and evaluate how far they have gone in safeguarding democracy," reads the statement.
"The Africa Day commemorations come at a time when Zimbabwe is due to hold 14 Parliamentary by-elections slated for 10 June 2015. The gross human rights violations that are currently taking place especially in Hurungwe West and other areas ahead of the by-elections are a cause for concern. In fact, the human rights violations that include violence, harassment and intimidation are actually a reversal of the rights that Africans achieved at independence."
The organisation said this year's Africa Day should present an opportunity for the Zimbabwean Government to recommit itself in the furtherance of democratic practices that respect citizens' fundamental rights and freedoms.
This year's theme, "…We are Africa-Opening the doors of learning and culture from Cape to Cairo…" comes in the wake of recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
"The theme reminds all Africans that we have a mandate to desist from a culture of violence and adopt the spirit of Ubuntu. Africans must rebuild the moral fabric founded on the respect of one's human rights and dignity," said Heal Zimbabwe in a statement.
"The Africa Day commemorations were set aside after a realisation of the need for a better Africa and a better world. However, in Africa, democracy continues to suffer setbacks due to civil war, abuse of human rights and rigging of elections."
The organisation said therefore, 25 May is an opportunity for African Governments to measure and evaluate their achievements in line with the ideals of the liberation struggle and what can be done to better the lives of many Africans who have suffered at the hands of these very same Governments.
"This year's theme should prompt African Governments to go back to the drawing board and evaluate how far they have gone in safeguarding democracy," reads the statement.
"The Africa Day commemorations come at a time when Zimbabwe is due to hold 14 Parliamentary by-elections slated for 10 June 2015. The gross human rights violations that are currently taking place especially in Hurungwe West and other areas ahead of the by-elections are a cause for concern. In fact, the human rights violations that include violence, harassment and intimidation are actually a reversal of the rights that Africans achieved at independence."
The organisation said this year's Africa Day should present an opportunity for the Zimbabwean Government to recommit itself in the furtherance of democratic practices that respect citizens' fundamental rights and freedoms.
Source - Byo24News
