Mugabu’s message to the people of Zimbabwe was distinctly different from the vicious and venomous messages of the years past.

Cain Matema, the resident Governor for Bulawayo said: “The nation had been told to refrain from party regalia as Independence Day celebrations were not a party function, but a national function which has to be enjoyed by all Zimbabweans.”

Addressing the crowd of almost 40,000 people, Robert Mugabe said “I call on all Zimbabweans on this sacred day to national unity and reconciliation.”

The 85 year old Mugabe has been in power in Zimbabwe for 29 years running. He is chiefly blamed for the collapse of Zimbabwe's economy after he introduced his radical and controversial land reforms in the year 2000.

Land was confiscated form white commercial farmers and initially handed over to local peasant farmers and later hijacked by Mugabe's cronies, some of whom now own multitudes of farms in Zimbabwe that are lying idle.

The recent spat of farm invasions by the country's war veterans was condemned by the country's new Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai who later set up a committee to look into them.

However, the country's president had remained adamant that the farm invasions were right and that he supported the invasions of those farms.

In the past month, close to 100 farmers have been either harassed by the war veterans or ZANU PF supporters or been detained and charged or just detained and released without charge.

Mugabe's speech was quite reconciliatory and not as highly charged as his previous speeches. “We need to create an environment of tolerance”, he said.

The cooperation of the signatories of the Global Political Agreement mediated by former South African president, Thabo Mbeki is paramount and undoubtedly holds the keys to international aid.

The international community has maintained a “wait and see” attitude with regards to Zimbabwe and have challenged the Principals of the Global Political Agreement to make significant progress in democratising the country, restoring the rule of law, setting the media free and a respect for property rights.

However, so little has been achieved by the unity government as the opposition has been hitting on brick walls with Mugabe making unilateral decisions without consulting the other principals as required by the GPA.


A Friday meeting held by the six executives achieved nothing and the opposition hinted that this was a result of Mugabe's attitude towards issues of serious concern brought about by the opposition.

Soon after the signing of the GPA, Mugabe unilaterally appointed all permanent secretaries, a positions equivalent to Ministry Director General. This was disputed by the opposition and the appointments were subsequently reversed.

The appointment of the Reserve Bank Governor and the Attorney General is another area that has led to the roping in of Thabo Mbeki, who arrives in Zimbabwe tomorrow. Mbeki is expected to define Mugabe's duties, powers and authority as agreed in the GPA.