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for national develpment.
The President, who was speaking in his keynote address during celebrations held to mark 31 years of independence and democracy at the National Sports Stadium, underscored the importance of peaceful co-existence at the gathering that drew the leadership and supporters of the three main political parties in the inclusive Government.
“As we celebrate this cherished national day, let us remember those who sacrificed their lives for our independence.
“Let us today remember them for their steadfastness, tenacity and oneness of purpose. I call upon all Zimbabweans to unite in pursuit of a shared national vision and to strive at all times for peace not violence and to respect the unity and development of our nation,” he said.
The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces said independence had brought unity for all Zimbabweans.
“Nhasi tinopemberera kaviri kuti nhasi tava vanhuwo, zuva iri izuva redu rakakosha, ngarive zuva dzvene, tobatana papfungwa, tobatana pakudanana, tobatana pakubatsirana.
“Chatisingade zvibhakera, izvo tinoti pasi nazvo,” he said.
The President said the country’s oneness was symbolised by the flag and the national anthem.
“We belong to each other, we might be different but we are one, please no fighting,” President Mugabe said.
He said the country’s freedom had come as a result of immense sacrifice.
“This day the 18th of April is written in indelible ink as the day on which freedom came to this country and our hard-won freedom is celebrated and honoured by all of us in the full knowledge that it did not come easily.
“Lives were lost, limbs painfully bore the brunt of racist Rhodesia’s anger as untold suffering was inflicted on our innocent people.
“It was through our oppressed people’s resilience, their immense sacrifices and the armed revolutionary struggle prosecuted by their sons and daughters that Zimbabwe was born,” he said.
President Mugabe said while the Look East Policy had been a success, the Western countries that have imposed illegal economic sanctions on Zimbabwe had not been receptive to the re-engagement process.
He said Zimbabwe’s foreign policy was based on desire to protect the country’s sovereignty.
“As we engaged the international community in promoting and protecting our national interest, Government’s foreign policy continues to be anchored on our desire to protect Zimbabwe’s hard-won independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“In pursuit of these core values, we are guided by the principles of the sovereign equality of nations, non-interference in the domestic affairs of other states, peaceful settlement of disputes and the right of self-determination of all peoples as enshrined in the Charter of the UN,” President Mugabe said.
He slammed the US and its allies for their disregard of the UN Charter as evidenced by their invasion of Iraq and the ongoing bombardment of Libya.
“They can violate (Western countries) the Charter and bombard people like they are doing to Libya or they can tear the Charter to pieces if they are after a country’s resources like they did in Iraq.
“When will Europe realise that there is international law and that the Charter of the UN protects that international law. Because they have weapons of mass destruction, they bully the world,” the President said.
The President said the principals in the Global Political Agreement would continue to work for the betterment of the socio-economic environment.
“During the course of 2010, the GPA, with missed targets here and there and outright misunderstanding on others continued to be implemented.
“In its various facets, it laid the firm foundations for the prevailing political and macroeconomic stability in the country.
“I am happy to report that the GPA principals will continue to do their best to give this country, our country, the political and socio-economic direction it needs to take,” he said.
The President expressed gratitude to Sadc for its role in the implementation of the GPA.
He said the constitution making process was on course ahead of elections scheduled for this year.
“Following the successful completion of the constitution making outreach programme, Government now awaits the finalisation of the outstanding processes ahead of elections, as is stipulated in the GPA.
“The establishment of peace and political stability is a fundamental requirement we should all work hard to achieve.
“We are a peaceful people and so we should, both collectively and singularly pledge ourselves to achieving both a political and economic peaceful environment,” President Mugabe said.
He said the economy had achieved significant improvements in various sectors last year that included 33,9 percent and 47 percent increases in agriculture and mining respectively.
He said the growth in mining was underpinned by increases in the production of gold, platinum, diamonds and coal among others.
“The phenomenal increase in the production of tobacco from 58,6 million kg in 2009 to 123 million kg last year, together with increased harvests of maize, sugar and cotton demonstrated the potential that agriculture has and its importance to the turnaround of the economy,” President Mugabe said.
He, however, said the prolonged dry spell that affected some parts of the country had a negative effect on expected harvest but pledged that Government would ensure that there was enough food for everyone.
“Government is at the moment assessing the situation in order to establish whether there will be any need to import food, that is maize,” he said.
He said other sectors such as the manufacturing had also picked up while tourism was expected to fully recover this year.
The country received 2,2 million tourists last year and earned over US$880 million.
“As we move ahead with our recovery and development agenda, we also remain alive to the many constraints that we still face.
“These include limited fiscal capacity, lack of substantial investments in capital projects and infrastructural development, limited external support as a result of the prevailing debt overhang, low levels of income in both the public and private sectors and the lack of adequate employment levels for our youth,” he said.
President Mugabe said Government had come up with the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act and the related statutory instrument were meant to ensure broad-based empowerment.
“This is intended to ensure the broad based empowerment of our people whilst also ensuring that communities benefit from resource endowment in their areas.
“In a similar way, the small and medium enterprises sector continued to grow in importance over the past year, exhibiting vibrancy in terms of its contribution to employment creation and the empowerment of communities,” he said.
The President said Government had introduced various measures to ensure the viability of state owned enterprises with the adoption of the Corporate Governance Framework for State Enterprises and Parastatals.
He reiterated that Government would continue to work towards the improvement of civil servants salaries and conditions of service.
He said Government was committed to providing basic social services and amenities.
“In areas of housing and social amenities provision, Government has made commendable progress despite limited financial resources.
“Appreciable progress has been registered in the implementation of 11 housing delivery projects initiated last year and financed through the National Housing Development Loan facility,” he said.
President Mugabe paid tribute to the country’s defence forces for maintaining peace and security in the country.
“The professional manner in which our forces have acquitted themselves in various local, regional and international peace-keeping UN and AU assignments gives much pride as a nation,” President Mugabe said.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, senior Government officials, and service chiefs attended the ceremony.
Online Reporter