Online Reporter
Joseph Madzimure, [email protected]
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has called upon communities across the country to embrace, with love and compassion, Zimbabweans returning from the Diaspora, saying his administration has put in place adequate measures to ensure safe and dignified reintegration of returnees.
This comes as thousands of Zimbabweans based in neighbouring South Africa have been trekking back home following xenophobic attacks by vigilante groups in towns and townships.
Following the attacks, the Government is fully funding an ongoing emergency mass-repatriation of Zimbabwean citizens and already thousands of returnees have been ferried home by state-provided buses, while comprehensive reintegration and duty waiver programmes have been activated for the returnees.
Addressing the 394th Ordinary Session of the Politburo yesterday, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabweans should show true African values by welcoming the returnees back home.
“Zimbabwe is our home and the sacred lands of our forefathers. I appeal to all families and communities to exercise the true African values of compassion, love and caring for one another, more so as we welcome those returning home from the Diaspora. Government has put in place comprehensive programmes to ensure the seamless, safe and dignified re-integration of returnees,” said the President.
Yesterday’s Politburo meeting coincided with the 27th Anniversary of the passing of revered national hero, one of the Founding Fathers of independent Zimbabwe, Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo, who was fondly named Father Zimbabwe and President Mnangagwa urged the nation to honour his legacy of love and unity.
“We honour his invaluable contribution to the armed liberation struggle, freedom, unity and his dedicated service to our country. The ideological grounding, visionary and principled leadership of luminaries, statesmen and revolutionaries in the mould of Father Zimbabwe, among others, must continue to be a source of inspiration for current and future generations of our Party and national leaders. The values of unity, peace, hard work, as well as unflinching nationalism and patriotism bequeathed to us, should remain embedded in the national development agenda and people-centred policies,” said the President.
The Politburo session comes days after the burial of National Hero Cde Victor Matemadanda, who was also remembered during the session.
“With solemn hearts, we equally remember the late National Hero, Ambassador Victor Matemadanda and other comrades who passed on since the last meeting. We shall continue to draw inspiration from the life and legacy of our liberation veterans. I invite us all to rise and observe a minute of silence in their honour”.
The President also announced the theme of this year’s Heroes Day commemorations, which will be: “Lest we forget.”
Commenting on the Zanu-PF National Cell Day that was held last Saturday, President Mnangagwa said the annual exercise reaffirms the importance of authentic grassroots structures as the solid base of the revolutionary mass party, Zanu-PF.
“Over the weekend, our colossal mass party demonstrated that we remain a mammoth revolutionary machinery during the National Cell Day. All Wings of the party seamlessly engaged communities, village and cell structures as we verified our cell registers and updated our membership records,” said President Mnangagwa.
Zanu-PF, he said, is ever ready and well capable of defending the sovereignty, independence and freedom of Zimbabwe.
“Under Zanu-PF, Zimbabwe is in safe hands. Well done to all provinces, districts, branches and the Village/Cells,” said President Mnangagwa.
He stressed that challenges and identified gaps associated with the digitisation of the membership database must be swiftly addressed.
“During this session, an overall report detailing the comprehensive outlook of our party membership levels will be tabled. The Commissariat Department, in liaison with the Secretary General’s Office, must now ensure that grassroots leaders at the branch and cell levels are adequately equipped to run and manage the affairs of the party.
“Regular and synthesised communication updates on key activities, decisions and programmes of the party and Government must be developed and disseminated to Branches and Cells/Villages,” he said.
The President, who inquired from every Politburo member in attendance whether they partook in the National Cell Day, said leadership is derived from the grassroots.
President Mnangagwa, who is also the party’s First Secretary, stressed the need to promote two-way communication between senior party members and lower structures.
He called on senior party members to submit themselves to cell chairpersons during village/cell meetings.
“When I attend a cell meeting in Kwekwe in my home area, I also listen to my cell chairperson. I sit with them and actively participate by raising my hand to add information or raise objections during the meeting,” he said.
“It was befitting that during the intervening period (after the last Politburo meeting), the League of War Veterans convened their National Assembly meeting. I am pleased with the programmes and progress of the League since its establishment as a structure of the party,” he said.
Further, the President said his administration will continue to facilitate broad-based initiatives towards the welfare and empowerment of the veterans of the liberation struggle.
He urged the War Veterans League to work closely with the Ministry of War Veterans Affairs and other agencies of the Government for the accelerated implementation of its activities.
Reflecting on this year’s party conference, which will be held in Chinhoyi, President Mnangagwa said that the leadership must reflect and assess progress made in implementing party Resolutions.
“This Session comes four months ahead of the next 23rd National People’s Conference. It is in this context that we must reflect and assess our progress in implementing party resolutions. I exhort this meeting to make the necessary recommendations to accelerate the completion of ongoing Party and Government programmes.
“I commend the Politburo along with the generality of our membership for their role in shaping discussions on the national development agenda under the 2nd Republic”.
He further said close coordination and synergies among party departments and respective portfolios in Government should be sustained for the delivery of transformational and impactful services.
“The policies and programmes of our party-led Government must continue to reflect the values of our Party and adherence to the aspirations of the people. Party departments are commended for the achievements of agreed goals and priorities as articulated in the 22nd National People’s Conference Resolutions. Congratulations. The culture of results should remain entrenched and scaled up across every aspect of our nation and party,” he said.
President Mnangagwa also congratulated the Chinese President and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Xi Jinping, and the Communist Party of China, on the occasion of the party’s 105th anniversary.
“Our mutually beneficial relations with China have positively impacted various economic sectors, such as agriculture, infrastructure development, energy, value addition, education, science, communication and technology, as well as water and sanitation, among others”.
