Harare- The National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) and the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe Chapter commemorated the Africa Day in style by hosting two events on Tuesday 24 May 2011.
The commemorations which were part of the NCA’s ‘ Act Now Against Political Violence Targeting women Campaign’ kicked off with a Quill discussion held at the Press Club and had several speakers who spoke on the significance of the day. The event was attended by scores of journalists, diplomats and various civic society activists.
NCA Chairperson Professor Lovemore Madhuku spoke strongly against political violence especially that targeted at women. He said that the NCA has experienced a lot of brutality against its members mainly women who continue to be on the receiving end every time the nation goes to polls.
‘’We call upon our society to be very much alive to that level of abuse that we have experienced as a country. This is an occasion for us the NCA to showcase our determination and continue conscientising the public against political violence, ‘’said Professor Madhuku.
The NCA leader lambasted ZANU PF for using violence as a weapon to impose certain positions in trying to entrench themselves in power. Madhuku said that the NCA, through the Act now Against Political Violence Campaign has lined up activities across the country encouraging communities to guard against these forms of violence. ‘’The best form of defence against violence is to create a democratic society were leaders respect the rights of citizens,’’ he lamented.
Speaking at the same meeting Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) President Lovemore Matombo said that Zimbabwe needs a leadership with a clear ideological standing in the mould of great Africa leaders like Julius Nyerere and Kwame Nkrumah.
Matombo also took the opportunity to castigate violence saying it is bad to society. ‘’We have witnessed our government institutionalizing violence and this is not in line with the spirit of the liberation struggle,’’ he said.
Sharing the same platform Tsitsi Mhlanga from Women in Politics Support Unity (WiPSU) told the gathering that women are not adequately represented in the current constitutional making process. She called for the full implementation of the domestic violence Bill which she argues the authorities are not implementing.
After the Quill Speakers delegates to the meeting were treated to a thrilling performance by Zimbabwe’s oldest and popular reggae group the Transit Crew at a show held at the Mannernburg later that night. The gig dubbed ‘Afrika Day Special Gig’ started with messages of solidarity from representatives of the hosting organisations NCA and MISA Zimbabwe.
The group belted out conscious tunes with specific relevance to Africa playing songs like Are we a warrior-Ijahman Levi, Africa Unite-Bob Marley, Addis Ababa –Joseph Hill among other tunes and they kept revellers to their feet all through the night.
