Nyore Madzianike, Senior Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has said Zimbabwe’s destiny and future lie in the hands of its citizens, with the country’s aspirations of attaining a upper middle income society by 2030 shaped and delivered through a shared national development vision.
The President made the remarks in his 2026 SADC Anti-Sanctions Day commemorations address, where he said national development is driven by determination, hard honest work, resilience, patriotism and commitment.
Zimbabwe commemorated Anti-Sanctions Day yesterday, with several countries and global blocs joining calls for the immediate removal of illegal sanctions imposed by the West.
The day was set aside by the 39th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in August 2019, for the region to collectively call for the unconditional lifting of the prolonged sanctions.
“Fellow Zimbabweans, internally, the approach by my Administration combines sustained diplomatic engagement for the removal of sanctions with practical measures.
“These include strengthening domestic production, value addition, competitiveness and increasing broader empowerment opportunities for our people.
“The nation has entered an irreversible era of tangible progress and self-reliance. We remain focused on consolidating a thriving economy, for sustainable wealth.
“Strategies that promote production and productivity across all sectors of our economy are being rolled out at an accelerated pace.
“The progress registered to date is improving the living standards of our people and strengthening our capacity to realise national development aspirations,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said investments in infrastructure, green energy and water were critical to modernisation, industrialisation and regional integration.
He said the country’s ongoing development efforts were taking place against a changing geopolitical environment.
“Climate change, disruptions to energy supplies as well as international transport and trade, are increasing cost of doing business and placing additional pressure on our developing economies,” said the President.
“The strengthening of domestic production, diversification of trading relationships and an increased capacity to withstand external shocks, has become of critical importance to our governments,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said while no country could be entirely protected from global events, nations should strengthen their ability to manage potential shocks through cooperation, diversified global partnerships, sound planning and stronger productive capacities. He said Zimbabwe remained committed to working with progressive countries to champion multilateralism, global partnerships and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
“We believe that international institutions must provide space for all countries to harness opportunities presented by emerging technological trends.
“Equally, all nations, irrespective of their size or economic strength must contribute to addressing the pressing challenges of our time, fellow countrymen and women, I call upon all of us to remain steadfast in our collective resolve to build our nation, brick by brick, stone upon stone and step by step.
“Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatirwa nevene vayo/ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo.
“The destiny of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe, is in our hands.
“The future we want, must be shaped and delivered through our shared National Vision 2030, and propelled by the determination, hard honest work, resilience, patriotism and commitment to national development, by every citizen, at home and in the Diaspora,” he said.
“Together, united in purpose and resolute in action, we are building a sovereign, prosperous and self-reliant Zimbabwe, for both present and future generations.
“Even under the illegal economic sanctions, Zimbabwe is rising. Forward ever, backward never,” he said.
