By Aldridge Dzvene
Acting President Vice-President Dr Constantino Chiwenga yesterday positioned national unity as a strategic driver of economic renewal, using the burial of National Hero Brigadier-General (Retired) Mathias Tizirai Ngarava at the National Heroes Acre to draw a direct line between Zimbabwe’s liberation legacy and its contemporary development ambitions. Speaking on behalf of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, VP Chiwenga’s address moved beyond ceremonial tribute, articulating a governance message that framed cohesion, discipline and shared purpose as prerequisites for sustainable growth.
The Acting President emphasised that the sacrifices made during the liberation struggle were not an end in themselves but a foundation upon which economic progress must now be built. He argued that development cannot thrive in an environment of division, stressing that unity among Zimbabweans is essential for productivity, investment confidence and the effective mobilisation of national resources. By anchoring economic development within the values of patriotism and collective responsibility, VP Chiwenga elevated unity from a political ideal to an economic imperative.
His remarks reflected a broader policy outlook that recognises stability and social cohesion as critical enablers of economic transformation. The late Brigadier-General Ngarava was presented not only as a liberation icon but as a symbol of disciplined service, reinforcing the idea that national development demands the same commitment, sacrifice and focus that defined the struggle for independence. In this context, VP Chiwenga’s message suggested that economic recovery and growth are inseparable from a renewed national mindset rooted in cooperation rather than fragmentation.
Addressing the nation from a site synonymous with sacrifice and sovereignty, the Acting President implicitly linked historical memory to present responsibility, urging Zimbabweans to translate unity into action that advances industrialisation, job creation and national resilience. The choice of platform underscored the argument that development is a continuation of the liberation project, requiring collective effort across generations.
The ceremony thus emerged as a moment of strategic reflection, reinforcing the view that Zimbabwe’s path to prosperity lies not only in policy frameworks but in a shared national commitment to unity-driven development. In positioning economic growth as the modern expression of liberation values, VP Chiwenga’s address placed national cohesion at the centre of Zimbabwe’s development discourse, signalling that the future will be shaped by how firmly the nation stands together.
