adminWalter Nyamukondiwa Harare Bureau
Acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said businesses, including multinational and foreign owned ones, must support community activities which promote peace. Cde Mnangagwa said this while addressing thousands of Zanu-PF party youths at the Mashonaland West Youth Festival in Selous at the weekend.
“There are companies that are into mining such as Zimplats and Afroshin which are operating in the various communities that must support you. They shouldn’t say we pay taxes to Chinamasa (Finance Minister).
“They must also be involved in the community activities in the areas they’re operating in. That’s what they do where they come from. Be they Indians, Japanese, Chinese or the English. They must also do the same here.”
Acting President Mnangagwa said political parties everywhere were supported by business, adding that ruling party activities help in the maintenance of peace and subsequently a conducive environment for business to flourish.
Turning to the youths, he said they should value the country more than themselves and jealously guard against recolonisation. “You must know that Zimbabwe shall never be a colony again and you must be ready to defend it with your blood as youths because that’s the inheritance we’ve bequethed to you as your elders,” said Acting President Mnangagwa.
“That’s what we did as youths and we went to war to liberate the country. We’re getting old and we’re passing on the baton to you to defend the country even if it means with your blood.” If people value the country, Acting President Mnangagwa said, the country would also give its best.
He said senior party members from the Politburo and Central Committee should support youth programmes because they owe their positions to the ordinary people.
Online Reporter