“Mukai askana, basa mangwanani” – an overused, rather annoying expression my mother used to wake us up at the crack of dawn as a myriad of tasks lay ahead of us on the public holiday attached to the 18th of April.

April 18th, Zimbabwe’s Independence Day wasn’t and still isn’t as nearly celebrated as the infamous 4th of July in the United States, but growing up, I recall people turning it to what they needed it to be. Many couples chose it as the start to their lives together either having their white or traditional wedding. Some chose to drive to their rural homes to attend to family matters which included grand celebrations of an African braai with more meat than vegetables, sadza, ne muriwo (similar to Kale), and with beer, sodas or Mazoe as their refreshments. Others simply stayed at home as April 19th meant back to work. The energetic ones enjoyed the music concerts, and those organized, working ahead of time, shopped for the approaching new school term. In whatever way people chose to celebrate this day, each person was free to celebrate it the way they saw fit.

Now, in 2023, celebrating 43 years of Independence, we look ahead hopeful for a brighter future in Zimbabwe.

At Kuda Vana, we are also looking forward to a bright future for Zimbabwe’s most vulnerable children as we grow our ability to support and build families, and provide the best possible care for vulnerable children through our Children’s Home and Youth Transition Program.

Thank you to everyone who is working to empower the most vulnerable children of Zimbabwe to not just survive, but thrive!

Written by Vongai Chokuda, Kuda Vana Intern

Happy Independence Day Zimbabwe!