Fellow Zimbabweans, yesterday we commemorated 41 years of independence —an important national day  in the history of our country. The importance of independence  cannot be understated; for it speaks  to  our being, identity, nationhood  and  patriotism. Our independence was hard won  and fought for by every man, woman and child in this country. Independence was a product of citizens’ convergence around the liberation  idea  and promise — the liberation consensus. The occasion of Zimbabwe’s independence has always been a moment of great pride and triumph for us as a people who were once subjugated and held hostage by the cleavages of a system of oppression. I join you in paying tribute to all our iconic heroes and heroines who sacrificed for the independence of our country from subjugation and repressive  colonial rule. The struggle’s seminal role in our history cannot be erased. It is part of our national heritage and national treasure as we honour the gallant sons and daughters, men and women who died for a great cause. Our debt of gratitude and unconditional appreciation goes to those who sacrificed their lives for the independence of our beloved beautiful Zimbabwe. We give special recognition to the liberation heroes, war veterans, military and security services personnel, our retired veterans and all of you, the brave  and  patriotic people of Zimbabwe, for sacrificing everything for the attainment of our independence. The war was waged by the majority to dismantle colonial injustices and the cause for restoration of dignity, universal suffrage (one-person one-vote), land ownership and economic independence and prosperity of this our great country. Thousands perished for this great and noble cause. The war was waged for the establishment of a just and fair society where all citizens are treated the same regardless  of their gender, race, creed, ethnicity  or political affiliation — affording them  an equal opportunity to prosper and pursue happiness. The liberation effort was a pursuit and quest to establish a transformational democratic developmental State, which places people at the centre of all developmental programmes. That promise of independence remains unfulfilled — the idea  of  independence was and is a pact and a contract between Zimbabwe and its citizens. The liberation promise, the freedom  promise, the peace promise, the prosperity promise and the transformation  promise remain elusive for the greater number of our people. This promise remains unfulfilled, leading to many people, young and old, even questioning its worth.The 41-year-old journey thus  far has proved that more still needs to  be done to ensure that the people of Great Zimbabwe enjoy the fruits of the independence that came as a result of the selfless sacrifices by the combatants and the bravery of the masses who together complemented one another to ensure victory of the liberation war effort. Four decades later,we are confronted with another threat to that independence in the form of a minority  system based on brutality, marginalisat