Namibian minister supports nationalisation of foreign firms

Municipal Reporter
Visiting Namibian Minister of Regional and Local Government Jerry Ekandjo has lauded President Mugabe’s proposals to nationalise the over 400 British companies operating in Zimbabwe to counter the illegal sanctions London and its western allies imposed on Zimbabwe.
Speaking at a farewell dinner hosted by Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo in Harare on Thursday, Minister Ekandjo said the call by President Mugabe to take over the companies was a positive move.
“President Mugabe did good to target the 400 companies.
“Zimbabweans you are capable of managing those companies on your own,” Minister Ekandjo said.
“Just look at the number of Zimbabweans in world organisations and working for foreign governments.
“After all it is Zimbabweans managing those companies now while the Europeans enjoy coffee in ivory towers in Europe,” he said.
He said there was no reason that Japan, a very small country without mineral resources, should surpass Zimbabwe in growth and prosperity.
“Japan has brain power and no minerals. Zimbabwe has brainpower and minerals. It should develop,” he said.
Minister Ekandjo said Britain would soon be coming to Zimbabwe on knees begging for improvement of relations.
“At the end of the day Britain and its allies will come to Zimbabwe kneeling and saying we were wrong. You will stand tall,” he said.
Harare Governor and Resident Minister David Karimanzira praised the good relations between Zimbabwe and Namibia describing the latter as a “lifelong friend”.
He thanked Minister Ekandjo for his strong speech in denouncing western sanctions on Zimbabwe.
He said Zimbabwe and Namibia share a common enemy in the form of imperialism.
“The West continues to want to reverse the gains of independence through neo-colonialism,” he said.
He said sanctions were a form of colonialism meant to foist western aspirations.
“Sanctions target people who vote for me to change their voting patterns.
“They are targeted at the ordinary man because that is the person who changes governments,” he said.
Ministers Chombo and Ekandjo later signed a memorandum of understanding paving way for co-operation in local government matters.
Zimbabwe will assist Namibia with legal, engineering and planning officials after realising that Namibia was in great need.
He said towns, cities and provinces from the two countries should be twinned.