adminHe said this while delivering a public lecture at Midlands State University in Gweru last week under the theme “Zimbabwe’s Defence Policy in Times of Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment”.
“It is an undisputable fact that the majority of our people live in poverty due to limited opportunities to participate in the mainstream economy as a result of the colonial system which was based on the systematic exclusion of indigenous Zimbabweans.
“With the onset of independence, the major challenge to the Government of Zimbabwe has been to remove the barriers and limitations inhibiting the participation of indigenous Zimbabweans in the mainstream economy,” said Minister Mnangagwa.
He noted that in so doing, the Government has started implementing the indigenisation and economic empowerment agenda through the provision of economic and social infrastructure to the black majority.
“Focusing specifically on the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, defence policy and indigenisation and empowerment, it has to be noted that the defence forces are the ultimate guarantors of the country’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and national interest,” he said.
Minister Mnangagwa said the ZDF, as an institution, is also a participant and beneficiary of the indigenisation and empowerment drive.
“This is from the perspective that the ZDF, realising that the annual defence budget allocation is insufficient to meet all its requirements pertaining to rations, uniforms, equipment and ancillary services, has embarked on a policy of participating in productive activities.
“In this respect the ZDF is entering into joint venture activities with foreign investors particularly from the People’s Republic of China and Russia under the same conditions provided for by the Zimbabwe Indigenisation Act and its attendant regulations,” said Minister Mnangagwa.
He added that it is their hope that once the joint ventures reach their “payback stages”, the ZDF will start reaping the benefits and attain a level of self-reliance.
Minister Mnangagwa said that more joint ventures are also being considered in various sectors of the country’s economy, particularly in the mining sector, considering that the country is well endowed with mineral resources.
“In countries such as China and Malaysia, the defence forces engage in activities outside their core business in order to sustain their programmes. In China for example, NORINCO is a typical example of an industrial establishment where the military participates in industry.
“This, to a great extent, stabilises industry and eliminates chances of internal economic sabotage,” he said.
Online Reporter