Nation urged to be self-reliant

in the face of illegal economic sanctions imposed on the country by the West.
Youth, Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister, Saviour Kasukuwerehttps://www.herald.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2011/02/kasukuwere902.jpg, said Zimbabweans should develop a culture of self-reliance to defeat the illegal sanctions.
The Minister made the remarks while addressing members of the Chiredzi Empowerment Group, composed of mainly youths, at the Hippo Valley country club in the sugar-growing town last Friday.
He stressed that Zimbabweans should be the sole masters of their own destiny.
He urged Zimbabweans to fight for the uninterrupted control and ownership of their God-given natural resources.
Minister Kasukuwere said the economic embargo was imposed on Zimbabweans as punishment for claiming control of their own resources.
This he said should not be seen, as a drawback but should galvanise the nation to be self-reliant.
“The sanctions which our country is reeling from right now should galvanise Zimbabweans to work for themselves and be masters of their own destiny.
“Let’s take the imposition of the illegal sanctions as a blessing for us, its a wake up call for us as Zimbabweans, especially the youths, we should develop thick skin and fight to have complete control of our own resources.
“Let’s be innovative and self-reliant by making sure that we control our resources, that is what we should fight for as Zimbabweans, we are an independent and sovereign nation which should have complete control of its own resources.
“The sanctions imposed by the West should spur us to fight for greater control and ownership of our own resources,” said Minister Kasukuwere.
He pointed out that Zimbabwe had plenty of natural sources that could make each and every Zimbabwean rich adding that the major problem at the moment was that indigenous people were being alienated from their resources.
Minister Kasukuwere said the Government’s indigenisation programme would never hurt the economy, but was only aimed at making sure that the majority of Zimbabweans were in the driving seat of exploiting their natural resources.
He dismissed claims that the indigenisation policy was likely to cripple the economy as Zimbabwe had vast natural resources that could be tapped on a win-win basis between foreign investors and locals.
Minister Kasukuwere donated US$2 000 to Chiredzi youths that would be used in setting up a poultry project.
Commercial Sugar Cane Farmers’ Association chair-man, Cde Admore Hwarare, pledged to start a cattle-breeding programme for youths in Chiredzi as part of efforts to empower them.
Cde Hwarare said Chiredzi had the potential to be a major beef producer in the country if only participation in cattle rearing by locals was increased through sustained and continuous support.