Politicians urged to have unity of purpose

July 25, 2012

The Chronicle

25 July 2012

Political leaders should desist from fueling divisions among Zimbabweans and have unity of purpose towards improving livelihoods of ordinary people in their communities, senior politicians said yesterday.

Addressing hundreds of mourners during the funeral service of Professor Welshman Ncube’s son, Ntabiso, in Bulawayo yesterday, senior politicians from Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations said Zimbabweans have a common identity and destiny.

Ntabiso was buried at West Park cemetery yesterday afternoon.

“This tragedy makes sense in that it brought us together from across the political divide. Beyond our divisions there is a lot that binds us together. We share one destiny and we can not avoid each other,” said Paul Themba Nyathi, the MDC treasurer-general.

“Surely this shows that we should at some stage come together to discuss how we can improve livelihoods and alleviate poverty among our people. We should rise beyond just seeking to dominate each other and reach levels of tolerance.”

“Kusinceda ngani ukuba sinyonkolozana. Patrick Chinamansa is here and is Zanu-PF. He chose to be like that and I chose to be this side. We live in one country and we have a responsibility of making it happier for our children and generations to come to reach highest levels of attainment.”

Cde Mike Bimha of Zanu-PF and Prof Ncube’s deputy in Government said Zimbabweans should remove all the artificial differences and live together harmoniously.

He chronicled how he met Prof Ncube at the University of Zimbabwe in the early 1980s and how they worked together in the Inclusive Government despite coming from different political backgrounds.

“I did not know that Prof Ncube would one day lead a political party or that we will at some point be together in Government with me being his deputy. But here we are. In Government we put Zimbabwe first and one can hardly see our differences. We consider what is of national interest,” said Cde Bimha.

“I would like to appeal to all leaders in the country that if we can work together despite our political affiliations and put Zimbabwe first, we can create a brighter future for generations to come.”

Speaking at the same occasion Senator David Coltart said Zimbabwe was going through challenges that required leaders to pull together in one direction. He urged politicians to be honest in their dealings and to always tell the truth.

“God knows that our beloved country has many challenges. Our focus should be on the future,” said Senator Coltart who is also the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture.

Among the mourners were Cabinet Ministers, MPs and Senators such as Moses Mzila Ndlovu, Edward Mkhosi, Believe Gaule, Tendai Biti, Rabson Makhula, Samuel Sipepa Nkomo, Patrick Chinamasa, Elton Mangoma, Dumiso Dabengwa, Gorden Moyo, Siyabonga Malandu Ncube and Lutho Tapela.

Other dignitaries were former Bulawayo Mayor, Mr Japhet Ndabeni Ncube, High Court judge Nicholas Mathonsi, Obert Sibanda, Deputy Mayor Amen Mpofu, King Lobengula’s descendant Peter Zwide Kalanga Khumalo, Paul Siwela, Donald Khumalo and Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) boss Daniel Chigaru.

Ntabsio (19) died in a car accident on Saturday morning near his father’s Greendale home in Harare. Ntabiso was born in Bulawayo on 6 February 1993. At the time of his death he was first year law student at Rhodes University in South Africa.