News / Local
Prayer service for Unity Day in Bulawayo
22 Dec 2024 at 11:36hrs | Views
Tomorrow, Monday, Bulawayo residents will gather at the Large City Hall for a special prayer service to commemorate Unity Day, followed by an exciting soccer match between legends from Harare and Bulawayo at White City Stadium. The events are part of nationwide celebrations marking the signing of the Unity Accord on December 22, 1987, between the late former President Robert Mugabe and the late Vice-President Dr. Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, which is widely regarded as a historic milestone for peace and national reconciliation.
In an interview with Sunday News, Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr. Paul Nyoni, confirmed the details of the events scheduled in the province for Unity Day. He emphasized that the commemorations are not only about remembering the past but also about fostering a sense of unity and national development.
"We shall be having a prayer service at the Large City Hall on Monday morning, which will be graced by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Judith Ncube, Mayor Councillor David Coltart, and all the heads of denominations," said Mr. Nyoni.
He continued, "Later in the afternoon, there is going to be a legends soccer match at White City Stadium, which will not only focus on Unity Day but will also raise awareness on drug abuse. The match will feature legends from Bulawayo playing against legends from Harare. The Sports Commission is working on this event, and we are excited for the day ahead."
Unity Day is a day for Zimbabweans to reflect on the achievements of the Unity Accord and the importance of working together as a unified nation. It is a time to appreciate the peace and stability that followed the signing of the Accord, which helped bring together Zanu-PF and PF-Zapu, leading to the formation of a united party.
Richard Ndlovu, a Zanu-PF Politburo member and former provincial chairman for both Zanu-PF and PF-Zapu in Matabeleland South, spoke to Sunday News about the significance of the Unity Accord. He highlighted how it paved the way for lasting peace in Zimbabwe.
"The Unity Accord was very important as it brought peace to the country," Ndlovu said. "To promote the objectives of the Unity Accord, people should be in one spirit and work together, as this will bring about development in the nation. The leaders who led us to the Unity Accord played their part, and now it's up to us to build on that foundation."
Ndlovu recalled how the late Reverend Canaan Banana initiated talks with then-Prime Minister Mugabe and the late Vice-President Nkomo, ultimately leading to the signing of the Accord in December 1987. The agreement led to the integration of Zapu and Zanu into the united Zanu-PF party.
"The Unity Accord was signed after two years of negotiations, and the nation welcomed it. That's when the two parties, Zapu and Zanu, came together," Ndlovu said.
Reflecting on the progress made under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Ndlovu expressed optimism for continued development, particularly in the southern regions of Zimbabwe, which have historically faced challenges.
"President Mnangagwa is committed to transforming the country's infrastructure. While we might be lagging behind in some areas like road construction, I am hopeful that next year's budget will address these issues, particularly the state of roads in our region," said Ndlovu. "There are also plans to construct more dams in the southern region, which has been severely affected by drought."
He also highlighted significant infrastructure developments in Matabeleland, such as the Beitbridge and Gwayi-Shangani projects, as well as ongoing improvements in the Hwange power stations and irrigation facilities. Ndlovu expressed confidence that these projects would bring about meaningful change in the coming years.
As Zimbabwe commemorates the 37th anniversary of the Unity Accord, the events in Bulawayo will serve as a reminder of the importance of unity, peace, and collective efforts to move the nation forward. The Unity Accord, signed in 1987, remains a cornerstone in Zimbabwe's journey toward national reconciliation and growth, and it continues to inspire future generations to work together for the betterment of the country.
In an interview with Sunday News, Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr. Paul Nyoni, confirmed the details of the events scheduled in the province for Unity Day. He emphasized that the commemorations are not only about remembering the past but also about fostering a sense of unity and national development.
"We shall be having a prayer service at the Large City Hall on Monday morning, which will be graced by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Judith Ncube, Mayor Councillor David Coltart, and all the heads of denominations," said Mr. Nyoni.
He continued, "Later in the afternoon, there is going to be a legends soccer match at White City Stadium, which will not only focus on Unity Day but will also raise awareness on drug abuse. The match will feature legends from Bulawayo playing against legends from Harare. The Sports Commission is working on this event, and we are excited for the day ahead."
Unity Day is a day for Zimbabweans to reflect on the achievements of the Unity Accord and the importance of working together as a unified nation. It is a time to appreciate the peace and stability that followed the signing of the Accord, which helped bring together Zanu-PF and PF-Zapu, leading to the formation of a united party.
Richard Ndlovu, a Zanu-PF Politburo member and former provincial chairman for both Zanu-PF and PF-Zapu in Matabeleland South, spoke to Sunday News about the significance of the Unity Accord. He highlighted how it paved the way for lasting peace in Zimbabwe.
"The Unity Accord was very important as it brought peace to the country," Ndlovu said. "To promote the objectives of the Unity Accord, people should be in one spirit and work together, as this will bring about development in the nation. The leaders who led us to the Unity Accord played their part, and now it's up to us to build on that foundation."
Ndlovu recalled how the late Reverend Canaan Banana initiated talks with then-Prime Minister Mugabe and the late Vice-President Nkomo, ultimately leading to the signing of the Accord in December 1987. The agreement led to the integration of Zapu and Zanu into the united Zanu-PF party.
"The Unity Accord was signed after two years of negotiations, and the nation welcomed it. That's when the two parties, Zapu and Zanu, came together," Ndlovu said.
Reflecting on the progress made under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Ndlovu expressed optimism for continued development, particularly in the southern regions of Zimbabwe, which have historically faced challenges.
"President Mnangagwa is committed to transforming the country's infrastructure. While we might be lagging behind in some areas like road construction, I am hopeful that next year's budget will address these issues, particularly the state of roads in our region," said Ndlovu. "There are also plans to construct more dams in the southern region, which has been severely affected by drought."
He also highlighted significant infrastructure developments in Matabeleland, such as the Beitbridge and Gwayi-Shangani projects, as well as ongoing improvements in the Hwange power stations and irrigation facilities. Ndlovu expressed confidence that these projects would bring about meaningful change in the coming years.
As Zimbabwe commemorates the 37th anniversary of the Unity Accord, the events in Bulawayo will serve as a reminder of the importance of unity, peace, and collective efforts to move the nation forward. The Unity Accord, signed in 1987, remains a cornerstone in Zimbabwe's journey toward national reconciliation and growth, and it continues to inspire future generations to work together for the betterment of the country.
Source - the sunday mail
