By Vongayi Mufara
18th April 2025
Today, 18th April 2025, marks Zimbabwe's 45th Independence Day—a moment to honour the hard-won freedom from colonial rule in 1980. Yet, decades later, we must ask: are ordinary Zimbabweans truly independent?
Independence is not just the lowering of a colonial flag. It is the right to live with dignity, access opportunities, speak freely, and be governed justly. For many Zimbabweans today, these rights remain a distant dream. Rampant corruption by ZANU-PF elites, the erosion of judicial independence, systemic unemployment, a collapsing healthcare system, and the brutal silencing of dissent paint a grim picture of a nation held hostage by its leadership.
So while Zimbabwe may be free on paper, the people are
not truly free. Real independence means freedom from fear, hunger, and
oppression—not just from foreign rulers, but from ZANU-PF tyranny as well.
Until then, this day serves more as a reminder of the promises broken than of
the freedom achieved by those who fought for it.
About the author
Vongayi Mufara is a human rights activist based in the United Kingdom.
She is the Chairperson of the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR)
Zimbabwe and Organising Secretary of the Scotland Branch of the UK Chapter of
Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe. She can be contacted by
email at vongayi.mufara@rohr-zimbabwe.org
Well said Vongai. We are not yet independent- elections are being stolen as well as our natural resources during broad day light.
ReplyDeleteHuman Rights are next to zero.
Zimbabweans are scattered all over the world seeking for all that lacks in our motherland.
We are looking forward to that day when we will be free
It is a very sad and depressing day for many Zimbabweans scattered around the globe. Until real freedom comes we shall continue to fight for our rights and for the freedom of our land of Zimbabwe.
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