Online Reporter
Joseph Madzimure, [email protected]
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has reaffirmed the Second Republic’s unwavering commitment to the nation’s liberators, pledging to secure land title for war veterans and the wider community.
Addressing the 4th National Assembly of the War Veterans, Ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees League yesterday, the Zanu-PF First Secretary underscored that the initiative is a critical pillar for cementing national sovereignty and driving economic empowerment.
“By securing land title for our veterans and the rest of our communities, we are cementing the foundation of our sovereignty. Under the Second Republic, we are a listening party and Government; we will never neglect the liberators of this great country,” said President Mnangagwa.
The 4th National Assembly of the War Veterans League, which was convened at the party’s headquarters, was held under the theme, “Empowering War Veterans; Securing Land Title for Lasting Legacy and Prosperity’.
The President said the theme highlights the important linkage of the liberation struggle, land and security of ownership.
Land, he added, is the birthright of all Zimbabweans, and the sacred inheritance for which many fought and sacrificed.
Additionally, he highlighted that the Government is empowering war veterans as well as the nation at large in recognition of past sacrifices.
Further, the President said measures are in place to sufficiently cater for the welfare of widows, children and dependants of war veterans.
“Under my leadership, the welfare of our veterans is inseparable from that of their families. These include comprehensively updating the registry of missing revolutionary fighters and speeding up the exhumation and reburial exercise,” he stated.
The Government, he said, is scaling up ongoing projects and programmes which include expansion of the War Veterans Family Wealth Trust Fund; securing land title deeds and support for productive land use, specialised
Health Centres for Veterans of the Liberation Struggle; Entrepreneurship Skills and Capacity Building Programmes, Scholarships and Vocational Training and Housing Schemes, among other programmes.
Going forward, President Mnangagwa said that empowerment programmes, which Zanu-PF is championing, will continue to be anchored on strong governance, transparent resource management and coordination, as well as the use of digital systems for efficiency.
He challenged the national and provincial structures of the party, including the War Veterans League, to always embrace good governance as the norm.
“We are here to serve and remain true to our long-standing duties and obligations to our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe and party, Zanu-PF. This solemn responsibility should continue to unite and bind us, the veterans of the armed liberation war, as one indestructible League. Our role as the guiding compass within our revolutionary mass party, Zanu PF, must not be taken for granted,” he said.
The President implored war veterans to execute their duties with utmost revolutionary commitment, as this is a critical pillar for greater unity, integration and singleness of purpose.
“We should be above reproach. The values that saw us successfully wage the armed war of liberation should be preserved as well as transmitted to the other Leagues of the party,” he expressed.
He highlighted that Zanu-PF is a party of discipline and order, hence the party constitution is the benchmark against which all decisions, actions and programmes of the league should be examined. Similarly, he said the collective decisions and resolutions, which were collectively formulated through various party organs and structures, are important instruments for accelerated modernisation and industrialisation of Zimbabwe.
“It is, therefore, most opportune that this National Assembly of the War Veterans League convenes at a time when our country is consolidating the gains of independence.
“As war veterans, we all have a role to play in the ongoing national development agenda”.
President Mnangagwa said it is commendable that the War Veterans Pension Scheme is being appropriately resourced, while a housing project is ongoing.
In keeping with the quest to preserve and safeguard the rich liberation heritage, President Mnangagwa said exhumations and reburials are being conducted with dignity, in line with the nation’s customs and the law.
The President also praised war veterans for the unity of purpose demonstrated with regard to ongoing party mobilisation and the subsequent strengthening of grassroots structures.
“These achievements must help renew our commitment to the people’s revolution and entrench the popularity of our colossal mass revolutionary party, Zanu-PF”, he noted.
Further, he urged veterans of the liberation struggle to fulfil their duties and obligations as party members, about supporting, defending and popularising party policies, programmes and projects.
“We must be a light to the other Leagues and never put the party into disrepute. Party ino ine nhorowondo. Musangano uno ndeweruzhinji. Hakuna munhu anogona kuisa Musangano muhomwe. Isu varwi verusununguko,takamuwana uripo.
“Ngatichengetedze Zanu PF. Musangano ndewedu tose, War veterans, Women and Youth Leagues, nevatsva vari kuwuya, along with registered affiliates,” he emphasised.
The party, he added, also belongs to many others within the nation and beyond, who associate with its revolutionary policies, development-oriented programmes and people-centred ideology.
“We are a mammoth revolutionary movement where all Zimbabweans are welcome. Zanu-PF leaves no one and no place behind,” he said.
President Mnangagwa challenged the War Veterans League to give the requisite party ideological grounding, leadership and guidance to the party membership during the National Cell Day slated for June 27.
“It is at the Cell/Village level, where we must continue to entrench the correct line of the revolution and party principles, systems and procedures as outlined in our party Constitution”, he said.
He said the protracted armed liberation struggle for independence was part of a global revolutionary movement.
Through strong partnerships with other Liberation Movements, he said, there is a need to continue popularising and defending the ideals of Pan Africanism, unity and shared development for the people of Africa and the Global South.
He emphasised the need to expose as well as reject neo-colonialism, including all forms of hegemonic tendencies.
“Cross-border forums for the War Veterans must keep the African union agenda alive to promote African unity, freedom and the quest to silence the guns on the Continent,” he stated.
He encouraged the War Veterans’ League to move forward in support of the leadership’s shared desire and responsibility to bequeath to the nation—and to its youth in particular—the ideals of patriotism, loyalty, hard, honest work, consistency and persistence.
In doing so, he said, there is a need to deliberately inculcate and nurture inter-generational solidarity for the realisation of one national vision.
“Our national character trait as a united and peace-loving people should never be tampered with. From Plumtree to Mutare, Zambezi to Limpopo, we are diverse but one indivisible unitary country. This must be preached by the
League wherever we go”.
Likewise, he said the strength and popularity of Zanu-PF lies in unity, mobilisation and keeping communities galvanised.
“Let us reject all tendencies that divide the party. The spirit of comradeship that binds us should never be abused. All our individual and collective actions must advance the overall interest of the party and nation”.
He highlighted that Unity, Peace and Development remain the party’s strong shield.
The National Assembly was also attended by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and Vice President Kembo Mohadi, Minister of Defence and ZANU PF National Chairman Oppah Muchinguri, Secretary for War Veterans Cde Douglous Mahiya, and his deputy Cde Headman Moyo, among other dignitaries.
