Vice President Dr. Constantino Chiwenga has appealed to Zimbabweans to build their lives on the principles of love, selflessness, and service to others, warning that the growing obsession with amassing wealth at any cost—what he described as “primitive accumulation”—is eroding the nation’s moral fabric.
Dr. Chiwenga delivered the message on Saturday in Marondera during a memorial service for his late sister, Mrs. Magret Machekabuwe, who passed away in 2018. The gathering brought together family members, local residents, and senior government officials to honour a woman he said embodied the virtues that the country urgently needs to reclaim.
“Machekabuwe was a hardworking woman who loved her family, her people, and her nation,” Dr. Chiwenga told mourners. “During the liberation struggle, she risked her safety to serve as a collaborator, and after losing her husband in 1995, she worked tirelessly to care for her children. Her life was a testament to sacrifice and resilience.”
The Vice President used the occasion to reflect on the importance of leaving behind a legacy rooted not in material possessions but in the positive impact one has on family, community, and country. He stressed that the current generation must draw inspiration from the values of Zimbabwe’s heroes, who fought not for personal enrichment but for collective freedom and dignity.
Dr. Chiwenga’s remarks align with ongoing national development efforts under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 framework, which aims to transform Zimbabwe into an empowered upper-middle-income economy within the next five years. However, he cautioned that economic progress would ring hollow if it was pursued in a spirit of selfishness and exclusion.
Chiwenga Urges Zimbabweans to Embrace Love, Service and Reject Greed
“The President envisions a Zimbabwe where every citizen shares in the benefits of a middle-income economy,” he said. “That vision can only be realised if we move away from the mindset of primitive accumulation of wealth. Our liberation heroes fought courageously so that the country’s resources could be used in ways that honour God and uplift all Zimbabweans.”
The Vice President underscored that the month of August—set aside to celebrate Zimbabwe’s Heroes Day and Defence Forces Day—offers a timely reminder of the values that should guide national life. He said the country’s heroes and soldiers exemplify discipline, unity, and service, and urged citizens to model their own lives on those ideals.
“Let us live responsibly and remember that it serves no purpose to live in abundance while others suffer in poverty,” he told the gathering. To drive home the point, he referenced the biblical story of Lazarus and the rich man, warning that the moral failure of ignoring the needs of others leads to lasting regret.
In paying tribute to his sister’s life, Dr. Chiwenga said her steadfastness after her husband’s death should inspire others to persevere in the face of hardship. “She cared for her children with integrity and commitment, and this is the kind of legacy we should all strive for,” he noted.
He also urged citizens to approach national holidays with a sense of responsibility, emphasising that commemorations should not be reduced to mere festivities. “When we lack soldiers, we lack protection. That is why we set aside days to honour our heroes and our defence forces,” he said. “Let us celebrate responsibly, mindful of the sacrifices made to give us the freedoms we enjoy today.”
The memorial service served not only as a tribute to Mrs. Machekabuwe’s life but also as a platform for the Vice President to address broader national issues. By linking her values to the ethos needed for Zimbabwe’s development, Dr. Chiwenga called on both government officials and ordinary citizens to embrace a culture of accountability, generosity, and shared purpose.
As the service drew to a close, attendees reflected on the message that personal conduct and national progress are inseparable. For Dr. Chiwenga, the moral of his sister’s life story was clear: real wealth lies in the love one gives, the service one renders, and the integrity one maintains—not in the material possessions one leaves behind.
In an era where economic pressures can tempt individuals into prioritising self-interest over the collective good, the Vice President’s words were a reminder that Zimbabwe’s future depends as much on moral values as on economic policy. The challenge, he said, is for each citizen to ask not just what they can gain, but what they can contribute to the well-being of others.
By calling for a rejection of greed and an embrace of community service, Dr. Chiwenga placed the responsibility for building a more equitable society squarely on the shoulders of all Zimbabweans. His appeal was as much about honouring the past as it was about shaping the future—a future, he insisted, that should be defined by shared prosperity, mutual respect, and enduring love.
Source- Bulawayo24
