Zimbabwe | Mixed reactions to independence day

HARARE - Tuesday marks 43 years since Zimbabwe gained independence from Britain.

eNCA correspondent Pindai Dube took to the streets of Harare, to gauge the opinions of ordinary citizens on the state of the country.

The Zimbabwean economy has been in the doldrums for the last 20 years, because of US imposed sanctions.

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There's mixed reaction from Harare residents, on the occasion of Zimbabwe's 43rd independence day celebrations.

While many appreciate the country's freedom from colonialism, they say they're yet to see the fruits of the struggle.

Charles Mukucha, an entrepreneur said, "I was expecting the rate of employment to increase, with more job creation, but nothing like that is happening.
So where is our independence, we just hear they fought for independence. But now we are old, so it's just stories, we don't see the fruits of it."

Shorai Mutasa said, "there is nothing we are enjoying. When my parents died, they left money in the bank for us, but it was wiped out by hyperinflation and we got nothing. Now, if you go to hospitals there is no medicine and nothing is happening there, so where's independence."

Patrick Mutizwa says he was involved in the fight for freedom as a youngster, but he's now living a miserable life.

Mutizwa said, "I fought in the liberation struggle. We were the first youths to support nationalists like Joshua Nkomo and James Chikerema. You see, we fought for the freedom and happiness of this country. But look at it now, I'm getting nothing and nothing makes me happy."

Claude Nhiya and Gladys Muswe see things differently.

Nhiya said, "we are very happy in this free country. We have reached 43 years of our independence, we are happy."

"We want to thank our leaders who are running our country very well, in peace."

Muswe said, "some even died of hunger while fighting to free this country."

"So we are enjoying our independence and we are very happy about it."

Liberation movement, ZANU PF, has been in power in Zimbabwe since leading the country to freedom, 43 years ago.
And with the latest round of general elections later this year, the ruling party hopes to still be in charge for many more years to come.