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Minister Kasukuwere said the scheme was a milestone towards consolidating the gains of the liberation struggle and defeating the illegal sanctions that have been imposed on the country by the Western countries.
“As we move ahead with the indigenisation programme, our economy should reflect the ownership of resources by black people. We need to transform our economy by ensuring that black people benefit from these resources.
“The Government has stepped up efforts towards setting CSOS/T in all the provinces so that all people can benefit,” said Minister Kasukuwere, who is also the Zanu-PF secretary for indigenisation and economic empowerment.
“Communities should therefore come up with developmental plans in areas such as health, education, roads and agriculture and others where these funds would be invested. To date shares worth $1 billion have been handed over to indigenous people in the country.”
Minister Kasukuwere said the Government made extensive consultations on CSOS/Ts and announced that the programme was likely to be launched in the province next month.
“We expect to launch the CSOS/T trust in Matabeleland South between February and March. We have been in discussion with the mining companies here such as Blanket Mine, Pretoria Portland Cement (PPC) and Vumbachikwe among others, to have them cede 10 percent shares to the community,” he said.
“So far only two provinces, the Midlands and Mashonaland West, have the CSOS/T. In the Midlands the community now owns $350 to $400 million worth of shares and while in Mhondoro, Chegutu and Zvimba the community now owns $200 million worth of shares,” said Minister Kasukuwere.
He said the indigenisation programme was not only looking at taking over existing companies but expanding the economy through empowering black people to exploit the resources that have not been tapped.
During the meeting the Zanu-PF leadership demanded clarity on how ordinary people including the disabled would benefit from the scheme.
The youth and women also demanded a share in the scheme, saying their members had been disadvantaged for a long time.
Insiza Senator Cde Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu said the indigenisation programme was a contentious issue in the province and challenged the leadership to support it.
Zanu-PF Matabeleland South chairman Cde Andrew Langa also said the indigenisation programme was the only way in which Zimbabweans could defeat the machinations of the enemy and revamp the party.
Politburo member Cde Abigail Damasane called for affirmative action in ensuring that the previously marginalised communities received maximum benefit.
The leadership also called for the review of board structures in all foreign owned companies to ensure that local people were represented.
Minister Kasukuwere was invited by the Zanu-PF provincial leadership to explain progress in the indigenisation programme and how people from Matabeleland South were going to benefit from it.
Zimplats, one of the giant platinum companies in the country launched the first CSOS/T for Mhondoro, Chegutu and Zvimba in Mashonaland West in October.
President Mugabe launched the second CSOS/T in the Midlands at Unki Mines in the Midlands where the community was presented with a $10 million cheque and a share certificate for the 10 percent stake in the mines.
Online Reporter