A flag is a national symbol that holds a far deeper meaning and forms the identity of any country. Those five distinct colours that make up the Zimbabwe national flag convey the sacrifices, the struggles, the ideas, the ambitions, values, beliefs, the people, the land and the wealth of the country. The colours on that flag present us with the true definition of the country’s struggles, sacrifices of many, the triumph, the inspiration, the outlook, the hope, the potential and the journey the country embarked on. A traumatic passage to freedom, from the brutality of colonialism to the bitter liberation struggle and that priceless day on 18th April 1980. It is because of the liberation of Zimbabwe that Zimbabweans can freely raise that flag, wrap it around their bodies and stride with pride in a free Zimbabwe. It is such a pity that some impolitic holy anointed ones in robes are disputing the essence of the flag of Zimbabwe. The call on citizens to “reclaim the national flag” reeks of insincerity and design. The national flag was presented to all Zimbabweans with the ushering in of independence, and as such there is no and will never be any ‘reclamation of the national flag’. The national flag is here and here to stay. These are the usual inconsequential stunts by some individuals who may seek publicity through any means necessary. Those questioning the sacredness of the Zimbabwe national flag are merely misrepresenting it for intended traction. It’s one thing to call this a non-political movement and it is another to start going on romantic dates with politics. To categorically state that the ‘integrity of the national flag has been ‘compromised’ is calculating and crafty. There is no one who can compromise the national flag and there is no one who has sole stewardship of the national flag. So any antics claiming to ‘reclaim the national flag’ should just be dismissed as such.
Making claims that the current economic difficulties affecting the country is the evidence to suggest that the flag has been compromised is borderline wooden. The anointed one is urging people to ‘reclaim the flag’ and the question to the holy one is, from who? This is the same ‘compromised’ flag that is wrapped around his neck as he freely expresses himself in free Zimbabwe. This is a free Zimbabwe and that national flag accords him and any other Zimbabwean that freedom to wear it round the neck, to speak, to walk and associate without fear or favour. If anyone was denied that right to wear that flag and to express themselves freely then that would be a different matter. However, as things stand, this is just another individual in a long line of such individuals. These are the same individuals who go on these idle little protests “campaigning for freedom” yet they are busy freely express themselves. The free Zimbabwe accords them that right and that flag is a symbol of that freedom he is claiming has been compromised. This is the real essence of #OurFlag, this is our national flag and it belongs to each and every Zimbabwean. It is not a toy to derive political pleasure or prospects.
There is nothing wrong with each and every citizen speaking his mind, and challenging the government on policy to make public officials more accountable. That is necessary, that is required and should be encouraged and instilled in our children and generations to come. The duty of every citizen is to question the government and keep public officials on their toes to ensure efficient public service provision. That politics and public office positions are not mere careers but a pledge to serve and a service to the people is clear as crystal. The pressure on government to deliver good and efficient public services is in everyone’s best interests. The citizens of Zimbabwe have that flag of Zimbabwe #OurFlag to thank for that freedom to question and bring public officials to account. There is a deeper meaning behind that cloth with the five distinct colours and the Zimbabwe bird. The freedoms that the people of Zimbabwe enjoy today lie beneath those colours and symbols that adorn that cloth. Those questioning the significance of the flag and claiming that the flag has lost its meaning due to perceived or real government flaws are missing the point about the meaning of the flag and potentially using it for own intended traction, be it political or pecuniary. This is a national flag and it does not belong to an individual or any organisation. It belongs to all Zimbabweans and to make ludicrous claims that the Zimbabwe national flag has been compromised is nothing short of an insult and a trample on our national flag. The flag is a national symbol that hold a far more sacred meaning than some budget political activism of the compromised ordained ones.
The meaning behind the flag of Zimbabwe
remains today as it will for generations to come and beyond. The patriotic bloodstains
of the liberation struggle have left permanent marks over the entire Zimbabwe
landscape and those five distinct colours on our national flag. #OurFlag. The people
of Zimbabwe and the country’s heritage are enduring features of this land and
our national flag fully captures that. The flag represents the peace that was ushered
in 1980 and inevitably in a democracy like Zimbabwe there will always be some
who take these freedoms and the prevailing peace for granted. The peace and the
freedom in Zimbabwe is free for all Zimbabweans to embrace and enjoy, but it was
not issued as a complimentary offering. It came at a price that can never be repaid.
So those who claim that the meaning behind the flag has been compromised might
as well spit on the graves of all those who sacrificed for this country. The
meaning behind the flag is neither lost nor compromised, and will never be lost
or compromised. The meaning is the deep-rooted deoxyribonucleic acid of the
national anatomy. Only lost souls are compromised, not this compound national
symbol. This sacred national symbol accords everyone the right to freely
express themselves and if the ordained one wants to continue with his petty
little thing, then by all means, for that is what our flag guarantee each and
every Zimbabwean. The anointed one has that same right as everyone and should
not be threatened (he claims he was being threatened) but merely ridiculed. It
is unacceptable for this holy man of God or anyone for that matter to be
threatened or harmed in any way for freely expressing themselves. Totally unacceptable!
He has been accorded that right by our national flag to hold his adorable
little exploit and there is no value whatsoever in threatening or harming him.
There is no value in threatening or harming anyone period! However, his protest
or thing needs to be dissected and dismantled to its bare basics to expose its
idleness because that is exactly what it is.
To question and interrogate the government is
each citizen’s obligation, but there is no value added in diluting the real meaning
of the flag in an unproductive and self-absorbed frolic. The same national flag
recognises the rights of the people of Zimbabwe to be free to protest, to have
movements and to freely question and bring government and public officials to
account. The government of Zimbabwe might have its own flaws like each and
every government in this world, but to make that as an argument that the
national flag has been undermined is devious. The national flag of Zimbabwe
will outlive any individual or organisation, living or yet to be conceived. The
only people who are compromising the flag are the consecrate ones who are
inappropriately exploiting it to prop up their simplistic political pastime. Individuals
can be compromised, organisations can be compromised, but not our national flag.
#OurFlag
Twitter:
@bernardbwoni
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