Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
MATABELELAND South Province has benefitted from the Presidential War Veterans Fund, with 49 liberation struggle veterans receiving financial support to launch income-generating projects.
The fund, officially launched in Harare, seeks to empower war veterans economically through interest-free loans that facilitate business start-ups and promote self-sufficiency. A total of US$1,5 million has been allocated to the initiative, with four provinces each receiving US$150 000 as part of the ongoing disbursement process.
The initiative underlines the Government’s commitment to honouring the sacrifices made by war veterans, ex-political prisoners, detainees, restrictees, non-combatant cadres and war collaborators in the country’s liberation struggle.
Speaking at the Matabeleland South launch ceremony on Monday, Zanu-PF Matabeleland South provincial chairman, Cde Mangaliso Ndlovu, stressed the critical role of war veterans in preserving national ideology and guiding the younger generation.
“As your children, we cherish the work and sacrifices you made to liberate the country. You are a golden generation whose contributions will always be remembered. Even when you are no longer with us, your legacy will live on,” he said.
Cde Ndlovu urged war veterans to safeguard the principles of the liberation struggle by mentoring younger party members and ensuring ideological continuity.
“My request to you is that when you see others losing direction, guide them onto the right path. You should be the first line of defence for our party and our President. Zanu-PF is an organised party, and its resolutions must be respected,” he said.
Cde Ndlovu further encouraged war veterans in the province to stand firm in support of the party and instil ideological values among the youth to protect national interests. He highlighted that the Second Republic, under President Mnangagwa’s leadership, continues to recognise and uplift war veterans through various empowerment initiatives.
“You spent years in the bushes trying to liberate the country, and now you are reaping the fruits of your hard work. For the first time, it’s inscribed in our Constitution that we should honour and respect our war veterans,” said Cde Ndlovu.
He acknowledged President Mnangagwa’s commitment to fulfilling constitutional provisions by implementing policies such as the Presidential War Veterans Fund.
“President Mnangagwa has honoured the Constitution through making efforts to improve the welfare of war veterans such as the Presidential War Veterans Fund which we are launching today.
Our President has done his part and we should honour him for that,” he said.
Echoing similar sentiments during the same event, Matabeleland South War Veterans League chairman, Cde Alfred Moyo, described the fund as a clear indication of President Mnangagwa’s responsiveness to the needs of war veterans. He noted that the initiative is one of several measures introduced by the Second Republic to empower them.
Cde Moyo, who is also chairman of a board managing the fund in the province, urged the beneficiaries to use the loans responsibly and ensure timely repayments to sustain the initiative and benefit more war veterans in the future.
He said the board diligently went through the project proposals that were submitted to identify worthy candidates to launch the fund.
“For 44 years after attaining independence, we have waited for such projects to empower war veterans, and they are finally here under the New Dispensation. This shows we have a listening President,” said Cde Moyo.
War veterans remain integral to Zimbabwe’s development, providing leadership at both community and national levels. Their continued involvement in economic and political affairs reinforces the ethos of the liberation struggle. During the 2023 harmonised elections, they played a pivotal role in mobilising support for the ruling party and defending the values of independence. —@DubeMatutu
