Cabinet appointments hailed

Herald Reporters
Congratulatory messages on President Mugabe’s recent Cabinet appointments continued to pour in yesterday with various individuals and organisations hailing the appointments as a positive step that will put the country on a development thrust.President Mugabe appointed the new ministers on merit taking into account their qualities and commitment to serve the people while ensuring that all the provinces were represented in Government.

In his new Cabinet, President Mugabe retained some ministers, reassigned others and elevated some of those who were deputies to head ministries. He also roped in new faces as well.

Legislators commended the new Cabinet and urged all stakeholders to lend the ministers all the support to help them deliver and turn around the economy.

Chiefs Council president, Fortune Charumbira said the Cabinet was well constituted with a good blend of both old and experienced people to work with new people.

“We are very excited as traditional leaders with the appointment of new Cabinet Ministers. Our Minister of Local Government (Ignatius Chombo) has been retained and that will help in continuity,” said Chief Charumbira.

“The whole Cabinet is well blended, the old and new. There will be sharing of ideas between the old and the new. We are very optimistic that they will move the country forward.”

Mashonaland East traditional leader, Chief Musarurwa lauded the President for his meticulous selection of people to steer the Government.

“We are happy that we now have a Cabinet. The country is now moving forward. We are happy with the people that have been appointed, it shows that the President is conversant with his people, their strengths and how best they can be deployed in various Government Ministries,” said Chief Musarurwa.

He said they expected the new Government to focus on issues of indigenisation and mining so that they uplift the lives of ordinary persons through programmes such as community share ownership trust schemes.

Buhera North National Assembly Member, Cde William Mutomba said there was need to support the newly appointed Cabinet.
“We need to give them all the necessary support to enable them to produce desired results. It is too early to judge them negatively. Give them room and space to perform,” he said.

Hurungwe East National Assembly Member, Cde Sarah Mahoka noted that President Mugabe, had identified capable people.
“We are very happy with the Cabinet line up. Everyone was given responsibilities in line with his or her ability. As farmers, we are particularly happy with the retention of Cde Joseph Made to the Ministry of Agriculture.

He knows and understands our challenges and how they should be addressed,” said Cde Mahoka.
She said the President had carefully applied his mind, particularly on identifying those with requisite educational skills.

“He chose people that are learned. It was not possible to bring in everyone who is learned but those that he selected are very good,” she said.

Cde Mahoka said she was also pleased in that the President had appointed women in Cabinet, an indication that he was committed to their upliftment.

Makoni South National Assembly Member, Cde Mandi Chimene said the President had exercised his mind and discretion well.
“We support the choice of people he selected. The Cabinet is composed of people of all ages, the old, new, young and so forth.
“We are happy,” she said.

Zimbabwe National Liberation Supporters Association also extended its congratulations to President Mugabe on the choice of the newly appointed Cabinet ministers.

“We urge the old stalwarts in the Cabinet and new comers to put the people first and help Team Zanu-PF in the execution of and in fulfilment of the people’s manifesto,” said ZNLPSA president Cde Collin Chipare.

Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions welcomed the appointment of Cde Nicholas Goche as Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare saying “he is tried and tested in this portfolio as he distinguished himself well last time he held the post”.

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union president, Mr Wonder Chabikwa also welcomed the two deputy ministers who will together with the minister attend to the critical issues affecting agricultural productivity.

The deputy ministers are David Marapira, who is in charge of Cropping, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development, and Paddy Zhanda responsible for Livestock.

Mr Chabikwa hoped that since Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa was from the ruling party funding of the agriculture sector would improve.

“We expect provisions of subsidised inputs including working capital. We expect timeous payment of farmers who would have delivered their crops to the GMB,” he said.