Mnangagwa cancels 2021 independence celebrations

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There will be no public gatherings in celebrating the country’s 41st Independence anniversary on 18 April, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.

In an interview at State House in Harare on Saturday, President Mnangagwa appealed to the nation to uphold the measures put in place by Government and the World Health Organisation’s COVID-19 protocols. He said:

Whereas I would love to see our population revelling day and night celebrating this freedom, this independence which gives our people dignity and self-determination, but because of the Covid-19 conditions, I appeal to our people to restrain from massive gatherings. Let them observe the measures we have put in place.

The WHO protocols must be observed. For instance, just now as a result of this Easter that has passed again, there is a spike in cases.

I would not encourage our people to assemble in huge groups, let us take these measures and preserve the lives of ourselves, our beloved ones and everyone’s life.

It is important. Enjoying ourselves will always be there when the time is correct when the time is suitable for us to do so.

This comes as Zimbabwe has registered a spike in new coronavirus infections in recent days, with the majority of the cases reported at Sacred Heart Girls High School located in Matabeleland South.

A Cape Town based Zimbabwe Political commentator, Tambanavo Chamanyawi scoffed off at the cancellation of the public celebration of the Independent Day.

“There is nothing to celebrate anywhere. How can we celebrate poverty, bad governance and poor treatment of citizens by the government,” said Chamanyawi.

Chamanyawi added that oppression only changed colour in Zimbabwe.

“We are still colonised, but this time by our black brothers who liberated us from white oppression,” said Chamanyawi in a statement to Zimbabwe Observer.

A renowned novelist and film maker Tsitsi Dangarembga hailed the government’s decision to cancel the public celebration as a commitment to public health, but expressed reservations on how the announcement was made.

“I think cancellation of public independence celebrations shows a commitment to public health in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, I have reservations around the way in which the cancellation was announced and the language of the announcement,” said Dangarembga.

She continues:”Coming a week before Independence day, the announcement suggests a lack of long term planning. While it is difficult to plan long term with precision, government could have started giving potential scenarios earlier. A similar lack of foresight was exhibited with respect to the schools Easter Holiday fiasco, suggesting that it is a government modus operandi with respect to the pandemic. Insufficient notice is disrespectful and inconvenient to those affected.”

–Sunday News and Zimbabwe Observer