Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, Sunday News Reporter
A total of 50 war veterans last Thursday benefitted in the first-ever Pass-on Heifer Scheme that was officially launched at Mswelangubo Farm in Umguza District, Matabeleland North Province.
The scheme will see each beneficiary also passing on a heifer to another war veteran in a few years.
Veterans of the Liberation Struggle from Matabeleland North, Midlands and Matabeleland South provinces were part of the pioneer group that benefitted.
Addressing the 50 beneficiaries, Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs Senator Monica Mavhunga said the beneficiaries were expected to care for the animals diligently to ensure they become productive assets and in due course, all of them shall pass on a heifer to another war veteran.
“This chain of giving, which is a communal investment model, will eventually result in an empowered veterans community across the country.
“To the beneficiaries, we are confident that the training you received on cattle management has equipped you with the knowledge needed to grow your herds from this seed investment. You are the pioneers of this initiative and your success will inspire many others,” said Minister Mavhunga.
The war veterans were trained in cattle management by officials from the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services in their respective provinces.
Minister Mavhunga said the Pass on Heifer Scheme was part of Government’s broader initiatives to empower Veterans of the Liberation Struggle so that they can contribute meaningfully to the mainstream economy.
“This programme marks a milestone in our continued journey to uplift and empower the gallant men and women who sacrificed so much for the liberation of our beloved Zimbabwe.
“Allow me to acknowledge and express my heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering support being made under the Second Republic, led by His Excellency, the President, Dr ED Mnangagwa. His Excellency’s visionary leadership continues to guide us as we work to empower and improve the welfare and livelihoods of the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle,” said the minister.
Minister Mavhunga said the Government has a constitutional obligation to take care of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle and in this regard, a company was established in 2015 with the sole mandate of generating income for them.
“In October 2015, Cabinet approved the formation of Power Zimbabwe, whose sole mandate was to generate income through viable business ventures, which in turn, would finance the welfare and empowerment programmes for Veterans of the Liberation Struggle.
“A Veterans Board was established in 2017 under the War Veterans Act (Chapter 11:15) and the Ex-Political, Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees Act (Chapter 17:10), it composed mainly of seasoned Service Chiefs and was tasked with overseeing the welfare of Veterans and ensuring the alignment and coordination of programmes and policies addressing their needs,” said the minister.
She noted that in 2020, Government recognised the need for a more cohesive legal framework to eliminate redundancies and streamline implementations and as a result, the two Acts were repealed and replaced by the unified Veterans of the Liberation Struggle (VLS) Act (Chapter 17:12).
“This landmark legislation broadened the recognition and inclusion of all categories of Veterans namely: War Veterans, Ex-Political, Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees, Non-Combatant Cadres and War Collaborators,” said Min Mavhunga.
Under Section 13 of the VLS Act, the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Board was established in 2020 as the apex body to oversee the economic empowerment and recognition of all these categories. The Board has a constitutional obligation to improve the lives of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle and ensure their integration into the mainstream economy.
“In furtherance of these goals, Veterans Investment Corporation (Pvt) Ltd was established in 2021 as an instrument company with the same mandate as Power Zimbabwe. To avoid duplication of roles and resources, concurrence was sought from President Mnangagwa for the transfer of assets from Power Zimbabwe to VIC,” she said.
