Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere, Harare Bureau
Lieutenant- General (retired) Anselem Sanyatwe has saluted President Mnangagwa on his appointment as the Minister of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation describing his new posting as a “special recognition”.
President Mnangagwa swore in Lt Gen (retired) Sanyatwe at State House yesterday at a ceremony attended by Vice-Presidents Dr Constantino Chiwenga and Cde Kembo Mohadi as well as senior Government officials.
“Allow me first to thank His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Défence Forces for appointing me as Minister to the Ministry of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation.
It is indeed a great honour, a special recognition from His Excellency. In fact, I am also humbled with the confidence and trust that the President has accorded me to lead this special ministry,” said the former Zimbabwe National Army chief soon after being sworn in.
Turning to his new mandate, Lt- Gen Sanyatwe said arts and culture are very strong tools for national unity, youth empowerment as well as economic growth.
“It is with these that a nation is identified as our identity, our history as well as the aspirations of a nation, given that background it is my submission that I should take on board all stakeholders as I embark on my new journey to lead this sector.
“My mission therefore is to develop, create and promote all aspects that go by our identity and where possible for it to be recognised locally and internationally.
“We shall move together as a team with a unity of purpose as I take up my new office as Minister,” said Lt-Gen (retired) Sanyatwe.
He is taking over the reins at the Ministry from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) president-elect Dr Kirsty Coventry who was recently elected to the world’s most influential sports position.
In his new role, Lt-Gen (retired) Sanyatwe is expected to address the challenges bedevilling the sporting sector like the lack of infrastructure that can host international sports competitions.
As a result of a dearth of Fifa-certified stadia, national teams like the Zimbabwe national senior men’s soccer team have resorted to playing their matches in other countries, and the coming in of Lt Gen (retired) Sanyatwe is expected to add impetus to the ongoing upgrading of local facilities.
Lt-Gen (retired) Sanyatwe is not the first military commander to be deployed to central Government service by President Mnangagwa, many who were appointed before him, have inculcated a reputation of excellence in service for the country.
He is expected to bring military discipline to the civil service as Zimbabwe’s military is renowned for their discipline, time consciousness, dedication to duty, fulfilment of their obligations, respect and selfless service among other positive impacts.
derick.khumalo