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THE country is inching closer to finding closure to the emotive Gukurahundi issue towards cementing national unity and collective prosperity.

Guided by  President Mnangagwa’s philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind, the Second Republic has taken a bold step to confront the country’s dark past to ensure that Zimbabweans move forward as a united nation.

The President, who is on record saying issues afflicting Zimbabwe can only be solved by Zimbabweans as encapsulated in his philosophy Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo.

And yesterday, addressing chiefs from Matabeleland North and South provinces at the State House in Bulawayo, the President best captured his belief in homegrown solutions to the country’s past when he said, “Okonakalayo elizweni, kulungiswa ngabanikazi balo. Zvinokanganisika munyika, zvinogadziriswa nevene vayo.”

The President has not only expressed belief in homegrown solutions but has walked the talk in facilitating dialogue on Gukurahundi.

The President reaffirmed the Second Republic’s dedication to finding a lasting solution to the emotive issue, with the victims at the centre of the process.

He praised the progress made towards the launch of the Gukurahundi public hearings, which are expected to start in the first quarter of this year.

The public hearings will be led by chiefs in their communities.

The chiefs have crafted and adopted the Gukurahundi manual, which will guide the holding of victim-friendly public hearings, to ensure national healing as the country confronts its unfortunate past.

The manual, which is a product of inclusive engagements between chiefs and various stakeholders, is a culmination of traditional leaders’ meetings with President Mnangagwa, which started four years ago.

He said his administration is determined to ensure that the process is efficient and vigorous, with the best interests of the people in mind.

“I cannot over-emphasise the fact that this initiative is being implemented for the benefit of our people. Our commitment to a victim-centred approach remains steadfast, ensuring that the process is not just efficient but also emphatic,” he said.

President Mnangagwa urged those involved in the exercise to be vigilant against external influences that seek to derail the process and plunge the country into a situation of internal disputes and conflict.

He said that the unity among Zimbabweans must be protected from detractors, both internal and external.

President Mnangagwa commended the chiefs for their hard work and dedication to ensure that the process is comprehensive, transparent, and victim-centred.

“It is with no small measure of satisfaction that I stand before you today and announce that the implementation of the initiative to resolve the Gukurahundi issue has reached an advanced stage. I am humbled by the work ethic of the chiefs, mandated with this solemn task, who have worked tirelessly to ensure that the process is comprehensive, transparent, and victim-centred,” he said.