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TODAY, Zimbabweans from all corners of the country will commemorate Heroes’ Day to remember the sacrifices gallant sons and daughters of the soil made to liberate them from the shackles of colonial bondage. It is a special day which comes 36 years after independence and Zimbabweans should be proud for maintaining peace and stability and ensuring that the gains of self-rule are preserved.

The war of liberation was waged to achieve political and economic independence and the land reform programme which Government embarked on in 2000 marked the beginning of economic emancipation for the majority black population of this country. Despite a spirited onslaught launched by Britain and its allies, Zimbabwe has remained steadfast and resolute in implementing policies meant to economically empower its people.

The agrarian revolution has spawned a new breed of commercial farmers and the success of tobacco farmers who are contributing the bulk of the golden leaf at the auction floors bears testimony to the benefits of the land resettlement programme. Granted, the programme has had its fair share of challenges but the Government is addressing them with a view to improving productivity on farms. The Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment programme has heralded the entry of blacks into industry while the Community Share ownership Trusts have vastly improved the welfare of people particularly those around mines.

The economic challenges the country is going through are temporary and can best be described as the birth pangs of a revolution whose fruits will be enjoyed by future generations. Zimbabweans should therefore rally behind their Government which is striving to empower them. After failing to dislodge President Mugabe and the ruling Zanu-PF party from power for the past 16 years, regime change agents have now employed new tactics involving the use of social media to foment an uprising.

Shadowy groups such as Tajamuka/Sesijikile and the #This Flag movement have been formed specifically to whip up anti-Government sentiments and cajole Zimbabweans into revolting. The United States, French and British governments have been fingered as the brains behind the activities of these groups, showing that they are unrelenting in their quest to topple the Government.

Zimbabwe is now perpetually in protest mode with hordes of youths being bribed with money and alcohol to embark on demonstrations which the organisers hope will ignite an orgy of violence. Just last week, demonstrators in Harare damaged property and attacked the police with the hope of attracting international attention and sympathy.

In Bulawayo, a motley crew of whites and members of the so-called Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) tried to disrupt a Test cricket match between Zimbabwe and New Zealand at Queens Sports Club but the protest evaporated into a whimper after only a few people heeded a call to sing the national anthem in the 36th over of the match. Zimbabwe is still very much under siege and merchants of regime change will not stop until their evil designs have come to fruition.

Despite the next election being less than two years away, anti-Zimbabwe plotters are angling for a change of Government before then. Peace loving Zimbabweans should therefore remain vigilant and steadfast in defence of the motherland. We are glad that all arms of the State are fully prepared to deal with whatever threat may be posed to the security and stability of the nation.

The Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, General Constantino Chiwenga, the Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army, Lieutenant General Philip Valerio Sibanda and the Commander of the Airforce of Zimbabwe, Air Marshal Perrance Shiri have declared the armed forces’ readiness to deal with subversive elements intent on destabilising the country.

We also applaud Government’s move to craft regulations to prosecute those who abuse social media to instigate violence, banditry, sabotage and general instability in the country. Zimbabwe cannot be allowed to descend into anarchy and lawlessness.

As we commemorate Heroes’ Day, we urge war veterans to honour their departed comrades by uniting and speaking with one voice instead of bickering and allowing divisive elements with sinister agendas to infiltrate them. They should listen to the wise counsel of their patron, President Mugabe and desist from veering from the path of revolutionary ideals.