Ministers promise to deliver

Harare Bureau
The newly-appointed Cabinet Ministers and their deputies were yesterday sworn-in by President Mugabe at State House in Harare and promised to deliver in their respective portfolios in line with the dictates of the Zanu-PF election manifesto.Ministers of State for the country’s 10 provinces also took their oath of office before President Mugabe.

The Ministers, all from Zanu-PF, took the oaths of office collectively before signing individually, confirming their commitment to the new posts.

First to take her oath was Vice-President Joice Mujuru followed by Senior Minister of State Simon Khaya Moyo, Presidential Affairs Minister Didymus Mutasa and Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Webster Shamu.

Media, Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Jonathan Moyo stole the show, when he was greeted with a thunderous applause from the guests as he stepped in to sign his oath.

President Mugabe commended Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Andrew Langa for taking up the ministry at a time the Zimbabwe Warriors defeated South Africa 2-1 on Tuesday in a friendly match.

Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa expressed confidence that the Zanu-PF Government would overcome the financial challenges being faced in the country despite the economic sanctions.

He said the new administration should continue establishing new economic relations with friendly countries to bust the embargo.
“It is not a secret that the new frontier of our struggle is the economy,” he said.

“We might have political independence and sovereignty but this should be buttressed by a performing economy. The responsibility ahead is enormous and we have to bring in sound policies in response. I am confident we will overcome the challenges.”

Minister Chinamasa added: “Because of sanctions, our trading partners have ended our relationships and we accept that reality and we should work full time to find new economic partners.

“We will work with those who are willing and we have to strengthen our side by ensuring indigenous people participate fully in the national economy because they are a key stakeholder.”

Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr Paul Chimedza, said he was ready to roll.
“This is my first time but I am glad I am under a seasoned Minister (Dr David Parirenyatwa) and we shall endeavour to deliver affordable and quality health,” he said.
“Besides being experienced in the medical field, I have corporate experience and I  have sat on a number of boards. I will use the interactions and strategies I have used to turn around the fortunes of those companies in the new ministry.”

Minister Moyo — who retained the portfolio he held when he was last in Government  — urged journalists to practise responsible journalism for the development of the country.

He said pirate radio and televisions stations beaming into the country through neighbouring countries should stop in line with the Sadc resolution.

“I have plans for our party and Government and we will work with all patriotic Zimbabweans who respect the laws of the country and put the country first,” he said.

“Journalists have nothing to fear except fear itself. As Government we exist to advance the interests of the people and we would like citizens to explore opportunities in the media here in Zimbabwe as opposed to outside unless it is for professional                    growth.

“We and Sadc now have a position on pirate radio and television stations that any member states should not abuse their territory by hosting hostile propaganda and those doing so should stop.

“In that regard as journalists, exercise your  profession but also take responsibility of your country, protect it.”
Sport, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Tabetha Malinga Kanengoni, one of the youthful ministers, said she was ready for the task ahead.

“I am willing to learn the fundamentals from experienced people and I will use my exposure to different cultures to develop our own,” she said.

“I am young but the people put us in office to deliver and that is what we are here for in line with the Zanu-PF manifesto.”
Mines and Mining Development Minister Walter Chidhakwa said while investors were welcome in the mining sector, they should work under the country’s laws.

“We should now move from extraction to an industry focusing on value addition,” he said.
“To the western world, where opportunity avails we are willing to work with them but they should remember that despite bringing their expertise and money, the Zimbabwean people are the owners of the land.”

Said Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Chiratidzo Iris Mlambo:
“It is a new task but I am equal to the challenge. The man (Mike Bimha) I will be working with has been with the ministry for the past years, making it easy for me to learn the ropes. The leadership has shown confidence in me and being young is not an excuse and I promise to deliver.”

Lands and Rural Resettlement Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora said he was aware of challenges being faced by farmers, particularly resettled ones concerning the issue of 99 year leases.

“I will have to first get into the office and see where the former minister left and I will start from there,” he said
Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Dr Olivia Muchena said she was going to engender the ministry to ensure more women have access to quality education.

Minister Shamu, who served as Media, Information and Publicity in the last Cabinet said he was ready for the new ministry.
“President Mugabe has given us a task which we must execute for the benefit of the public,”  he said.

“He has introduced the computerisation programme in schools and the aim will be to achieve 100 percent e-learning.
“We must move to the world of today in all sectors and ICTs play an important role in the development of the economy.”

The swearing in ceremony was witnessed by relatives and friends of the ministers.