Online Reporter
We publish here the speech delivered by the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Mnangagwa, on the 45th Heroes Day commemorations at the National Heroes Acre in Harare yesterday.
It is my singular honour and privilege to address this 45th Commemoration of our National Heroes Day, an event our nation holds annually in tribute to gallant sons and daughters of the soil, who paid the supreme sacrifice for the liberation of our country.
Theirs was a selfless struggle for the freedom we enjoy today, that must forever remain engraved in our collective conscience. This emboldens us to resolutely guard our sovereignty as well as fortify our resolve to build a prosperous economy encapsulated in our national Vision 2030. Today, we also honour the living heroes and heroines who continue to be epitaphs of patriotism, loyalty and commitment to one’s country.
The historic feats of our heroes and heroines are an enduring legacy bequeathed to us, which should serve as an inspiration in our march to realise Vision 2030. To immortalise the selfless sacrifices made by our forebears, in the struggle for Independence, freedom and democracy, the Second Republic is spearheading various projects across the country.
Sikombela, Whawha, Butcher Camp, Dzapasi and Connemara, are among some of the shrines which have been built up by Government to preserve our rich liberation war heritage.
During today’s celebration, I will be conferring honours and awards to our living and departed heroes for their outstanding accomplishments. I shall also preside over the investiture of awards of the Highest Order, which include the Royal Order of Munhumutapa, Silver Cross of Zimbabwe and the Robert Mugabe Commendation Award for Service in Human Capital Development.
Independence medals for eligible veterans of the Liberation Struggle, will also be conferred throughout our various provinces. In recognition of the sterling contribution to our national development and unity being made by members of the public sector, some civil servants will be conferred with awards for their long service to our country. I call upon all of us, to play our part to spur economic growth, employment and wealth creation opportunities, along with harmonious and clean communities. The duty to achieve a thriving, industrialised and prosperous economy lies with all of us.
Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo.
Fellow Zimbabweans; this 45th Heroes Anniversary allows us to once again take stock of the strides we are making to realise the yesteryear goals that saw many departed and living heroes and heroines wage the protracted struggle. We have a lot to be proud of as the people of this great motherland, Zimbabwe. We are masters of our own destiny, a proud independent, sovereign and empowered African people. Neo-colonialism will never be given a foothold in our nation.
The multi-pronged reform programmes implemented under the Second Republic are having positive and evident impacts to the economy as well as the quality of life of the citizens. Despite challenges characterised by the effects of illegal sanctions, fluctuating international mineral commodity prices and a fluid global trade environment, our economy is demonstrating remarkable resilience. The national Gross Domestic Product is now pegged at US$45,7 billion, rising from US$16 billion in 2018. The current domestic demand growth is pleasing, while the projected 2025 economic growth of 6 percent is well within reach.
The capacity of the national fiscus to resource key priority areas such as agriculture, health, education and social protection, as well as infrastructure rehabilitation and development, continues to be enhanced.
The new land tenure system is going to revolutionise the agricultural sector through enabling farmers to invest in increased production. As a result, transformational impacts are expected in the sector, with regards access to financing, increased productivity, as well as mechanisation and on farm infrastructure investments.
Zimbabwe’s success stories in maize, wheat and traditional grain production, record levels in tobacco production, along with the rebound growth of the national herd and increased milk production, are testament to the hard work and perseverance of our people. We, thus, celebrate farmers and stakeholders in the agriculture sector, who continue to be worthy custodians of the land which our heroes and heroines paid for with their precious blood.
Our heroes would definitely be proud of the positive strides which our farmers are making. Tinokutendai varimi, nemhuri yose yeZimbabwe, nekuchengetedza nhaka yedu yakarwirwa nemagamba edu, vatiri kuyeuka zuva ranhasi.
On the backdrop of the prevailing macroeconomic stability and the bumper harvest, our agro-industries are on a rebound.
Similarly, localisation of value chains and on-going beneficiation thrust is resulting in the exponential growth of the manufacturing sector, which now contributes 15 percent to GDP. The Zimbabwe Industrial Reconstruction and Growth Plan, as well as the Local Content Strategy adopted by Government, provide opportunities for further value addition, employment creation and export growth.
New investments and expansion projects across the manufacturing sector are benefiting from the stable and conducive business operating environment. These have been in iron and steel, cement production, and food processing, among others. The mining sector continues to be a key cog in the national economic development, contributing over 13,3 percent to Gross Domestic Product and employing millions of Zimbabweans.
As a nation richly endowed with mineral resources, we are determined to ensure that these translate into economic benefits for all citizens and empowerment of host communities. This should be complemented by responsible mining, full compliance to environmental and labour laws, as well as our cultural norms and values. The drive towards self-sufficiency in the energy sector, is receiving a boost from the power generation and supply matrix complemented by Independent Power Producers, specifically targeting renewables.
I applaud independent power producers and private players for installing industry level solar power units which have remarkably improved combined capacity generation. Modern and efficient transport infrastructure is a critical enabler for the smooth movement of goods and people. To this end, the modernisation, rehabilitation and upgrading of national roads, airports and ports of entry are ongoing.
Tremendous progress has been achieved on the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway, including the opening to traffic of the iconic Trabablas Interchange, while construction works at the Mabvuku-Tafara Interchange and Christmas Pass by-pass have also commenced.
The upgrading and rehabilitation of Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road, Karoi-Binga Road, Nkayi-Bulawayo Road, Arcturus Road, Ngungubane-Mataga Road, as well as other strategic rural and urban roads, have begun in earnest. Fellow Zimbabweans, our heroes and heroines, bequeathed to us a rich heritage of inclusive and equitable growth.
In promoting a new work culture anchored on results, Government continues to utilise modern approaches to accelerate the implementation of high-impact and people-centred projects. A detailed national compendium, of all projects completed by the Second Republic has been published, and is available in all languages, including Braille, audio and video formats.
Evidence of the Second Republic’s high impact projects is there for all to see.
Devolution and Decentralisation programmes implemented by my Government are leaving no one and no place behind. Additional resources will be availed to augment efforts by Local Authorities to deliver quality services and high impact projects and programmes to the people of our country.
A comprehensive health delivery strategy is being implemented to overhaul the sector and address the burden of Non-Communicable Diseases. Increased domestic funding for the sector will further equip our hospitals and clinics so that vital health services remain accessible and affordable to all. Education and technical skills development are critical anchors to the ongoing industrialisation and modernisation agenda.
The Heritage-Based Curriculum, is churning out young, talented boys and girls, who are the emerging new heroes and heroines.
To consolidate these gains, Government is strengthening the legislative framework governing the education sector. The Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Bill is now before Parliament while the Teaching Profession Council Bill is undergoing Cabinet processes. With regards to vocational, technical and entrepreneurial education, the Integrated Skills Outreach Expansion Programme is helping to drive innovation beyond cities, creating employment and boosting rural industrialisation efforts. Likewise, to bridge the rural-urban divide, access to ICTs and digital information platforms, as well as the electrification of schools, is being intensified.
Fellow citizens, ladies and gentlemen; climate resilience and orderly human settlements remain a fundamental building block for our human existence. These must shape the way we live, work and interact with the natural environment, in our modern times. Accordingly, my Government is addressing the scourge of dysfunctional and irregular settlements which had beset the housing sector.
These efforts are being augmented by the issuance of Title deeds to beneficiaries in affected settlements.
Tinotenda vose varikuvaka kumaruwa nekumadhorobha, zvichisanganisira vana vekwedu variku Diaspora. Citizens of our great country, including those in the diaspora, are playing their part in the ongoing housing construction boom, currently witnessed in both rural and urban areas.
The evident modernisation, changing ambience, aesthetic value and general landscape throughout our country’s-built environment is praiseworthy. Well done, Zimbabwe. Ngativakeyi nyika yekwedu. Asiyakheni ilizwe lethu. On its part, my Government will continue to foster comprehensive rural development initiatives throughout the country. In this regard, the implementation of Presidential Projects such as Borehole drilling, Livestock Pass-on Schemes, Solar Energy Projects, Internet Schemes, as well as the Village Business Units, are being scaled up to lift many of our communities into prosperity. Youth, women and veterans of the liberation struggle are commended for embracing these ongoing schemes.
The public sector is applauded for its continued patriotism, professionalism, loyalty, commitment and diligence in the discharge of their mandates as guided by our national Constitution. At this critical juncture of our national development, I urge you to remain resolute and always facilitate economic growth and quality social services for the people of our motherland, Zimbabwe.
State owned entities are challenged to increase efficiencies, viabilities and profitability, as they are being run on behalf of the citizens. Ladies and Gentlemen; My Administration is preserving national historical and cultural heritage sites, both within and outside the country. To further foster lasting national consciousness, research has been conducted on Cadres who were posthumously declared National Heroes. These include Cde John Mbedzi, Brigadier-General (Rtd) Lameck Matanda and Cde Jairos Jiri.
Meanwhile, the biographies of early nationalists and freedom fighters have also been updated, namely: Comrades George Tarcisius Silundika; Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo; Herbert Pfumaindini Wiltshire Chitepo and Josiah Magama Tongogara.
The protracted war of liberation of our country was fought and won with the support and solidarity of the friendly countries within the comity of nations. We will, thus, continue to foster mutually beneficial relations with countries, guided by the spirit and letter of the United Nations Charter and our inalienable freedom and right to participate, as equals, on the global stage. Let no one think that they can engage us as masters. We are a sovereign and independent people.
Zimbabwe has submitted its bid for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for the period 2027 to 2028. Additionally, we have reinforced our country’s commitment to global peace and security by becoming a founding member of the International Organisation for Mediation. We look forward to sharing our experience in preventive diplomacy, peacekeeping, and conflict resolution, towards a more secure and prosperous world.
Later this week, Zimbabwe will be handing over the Chairmanship of SADC to the Republic of Madagascar. This follows our successful term which ran under the theme, “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustained Economic Growth and Development towards an Industrialised SADC”.
I congratulate all our people, Government Ministers and Agencies who facilitated the programmes and events associated with our tenure. Comrades and Friends; Our culture, arts and rich heritage are strong functional components of a stable and progressing economy. To this end, culture centres are being constructed across the country to provide conducive and safe workspaces for the Culture and Creative Industries.
As we commemorate the sacrifices of our freedom fighters, many of whom were young people, youth participation in socio-economic development and the decision-making processes remain key to my Administration. Multi-sports facilities are being established to promote healthy lifestyles, fight drug and substance abuse, as well as nurture sport as a rewarding career. We take pride in our national teams, athletes as well as sportsmen and sportswomen who continue to raise our flag high on the international sporting arena. Traditional institutions and new financing initiatives are providing essential support to women entrepreneurs, community groups, as well as small and medium enterprises.
The precepts of sustainable development enjoin us, to judiciously exploit our resources, for the benefit of both present and future generations. In this quest, our country successfully hosted acclaimed environmental management and protection events, namely the SADC Trans-Frontier Conservation Area Conference and Summit; as well as the 15th Conference of Parties to the Ramsar Convention. The lessons and outcomes of these meetings must help us to strengthen the implementation of our national environmental plans.
As our country continues to face the severe effects of climate change, our focus must be centred around enhancing national resilience, mitigation and adaptation capacity, in addition to promoting inclusive, climate-smart development.
Finally, as we gather here at our National Heroes Acre and the many sacred sites across our provinces and districts, we must look ahead into the future, with resolve and optimism. Today’s commemorations are not just a holiday. They must rekindle the spirit of sacrifice for which the heroes and heroines we are honouring today played their part. The baton has been passed on to us. We, the youth, women and men, in both rural and urban areas, have the duty and responsibility to build a modern and industrialised Zimbabwe. We must boldly decide now, that we will not stop at upper-middle-income status or Vision 2030. Let us break the ceiling and see beyond the horizon.
As heroes and heroines of the current era, let us open up innovative frontiers and scale unimaginable heights. The spirit and flame of the revolution that inspired many of our gallant heroes and heroines should galvanise us, the united people of Zimbabwe, from Limpopo to Zambezi, from Plumtree to Mutare, towards realising more and more unprecedented milestones. Forward ever, backward never. Success and prosperity are certain. With these remarks, it is now my honour and privilege to wish you all a Happy 45th Heroes Day Anniversary Commemorations.
Aluta Continua.
Long Live our Heroes and Heroines.
Long Live Our Unity, Peace and Freedom.
Long Live Zimbabwe.
God bless us all.
God bless Zimbabwe.
I thank you.
