Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira and Joseph Madzimure, Zimpapers Reporters
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has reaffirmed that the participation of war veterans in national decision-making and their economic empowerment remain a top priority for the Government, ensuring they lead dignified lives following their sacrifices for the nation.
He said this yesterday while addressing the 3rd National Assembly for the War Veterans, Ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees League that was held at Zanu-PF Headquarters in Harare.
President Mnangagwa, who is also Zanu-PF First Secretary, said his Government established a fully-fledged ministry to look after their welfare, a bold statement that showed the Second Republic’s commitment to improving their livelihoods.
“In my quest to ensure that we continue to secure your welfare and dignity, I set up a fully-fledged Ministry of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs. Under this ministry, modalities are already in place to advance welfare matters of the War Veterans of the Liberation struggle. These include constitutional obligations of honouring you,” said President Mnangagwa.
“In addition, the participation of our Veterans of the Liberation Struggle in decision making, governance and development institutions remains my Government’s area of priority.”
He outlined several empowerment projects his administration embarked upon to empower former freedom fighters.
“The Second Republic, under my leadership, remains committed to empowering you, our War Veterans. In this regard, I introduced the Presidential War Veterans Empowerment Schemes to assist you to improve your household incomes and lead a better quality of life. These include a revolving fund, housing project and borehole drilling programme, among others,” said President Mnangagwa.
“I am enthused that the distribution of tractors, under the Presidential War Veterans Mechanisation Programme, has already begun. Through such initiatives, we must stand ready to increase our production and productivity, value add and package our quality products for the benefit of our nation and also to export to other countries,” he said.
President Mnangagwa acknowledged strides made by the War Veterans League regarding the ongoing mobilisation exercise across all the country’s 10 provinces.
“Going forward, more so as we are now focusing on winning resoundingly the 2028 Elections, it is my expectation that, as the War Veterans League, you scale up the implementation of your grassroots mobilisation programmes. More and more people must join the Party,” said President Mnangagwa.
“Zanu-PF, musangano weruzhinji. Tose tinokwana. (Zanu-PF is a mass party; it accommodates everyone).
He noted that the Government is making progress across all sectors of the economy, such as in agriculture, mining, infrastructure development and tourism.
On the infrastructure front, President Mnangagwa said the rehabilitation of roads such as the Beitbridge-Bulawayo, Bulawayo-Victoria Falls, Nkayi-Bulawayo, Mabvuku Interchange, Harare-Mazowe, Nyabadza-Makoni and Christmas Pass is progressing well.
He further highlighted that other notable world-class infrastructural development projects carried out by the Second Republic include the Trabablas Interchange, which has improved road safety and reduced travel time for the general citizenry.
“The construction of Gwayi-Shangani and Kunzvi Dams, among other dam projects, is on course and being given the requisite support. The upgraded Mbare Musika Traders Market has provided economic opportunities and better infrastructure for our farmers, traders and citizens,’’ said President Mnangagwa.
Additionally, he said, the Geo-Pomona Waste Management Project has enhanced the public health hygiene in the city of Harare.
“As we sustain this irreversible development trajectory, it is imperative for the War Veterans League, which is endowed with Liberation War experiences and also technical expertise, to continue rendering support to the Government. The realisation of Vision 2030 of becoming a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society requires our collective efforts. After all, muZanu-PF, ini newe tose tine basa,” he stated.
President Mnangagwa noted that the unity between veterans of the liberation struggle and the grassroots, under the political leadership of the party, worked effectively for the successful prosecution of the liberation war.
He urged the war veterans to continue sharpening the party’s mass mobilisation approaches and strategies.
“As you go back to your respective villages, wards, districts and provinces, let us work harder to win the hearts and minds of the people. We should create platforms for communities and the youth of today to take a leaf from you, all our War Veterans. We must bequeath to the nation that spirit of nationalism, patriotism, loyalty, discipline, respect and unity.
“These are the fundamental virtues that helped us fight for and win the country’s independence, freedom, democracy, territorial integrity and sovereignty,” he stated.
He reiterated the need for war veterans to continue toeing the correct line of the revolution, remain united and focused as the country moves towards the inevitable realisation of Vision 2030.
President Mnangagwa added that the 3rd National Assembly is critical for the existence of the League in the structures of Zanu PF.
He emphasised that the membership of the League was open to all liberation war veterans, combatants and non-combatant cadres, detained and restricted for political reasons, among others.
“You are a strategic constituency, as in your youth, you saw it fit to sacrifice everything to liberate our motherland from the shackles of colonial bondage,” he said.
President Mnangagwa commended the war veterans for resolutely shunning any form of negative influence from the erstwhile colonisers to safeguard the gains of the liberation struggle.
He urged the veterans to provide grounded wisdom, leadership, guidance, as well as demonstrate the spirit of nationalism, discipline, unity, loyalty and patriotism.
The 3rd National Assembly meeting was held under the theme “Beyond the Battlefield: Celebrating Courage, Loyalty and Commitment”.
“We are celebrating the courage, loyalty and commitment which formed the backbone of our liberation struggle. This should propel us as we march ahead towards achieving Vision 2030.
“As the ruling Zanu PF Party, we are steering the Second Republic’s development programmes and projects anchored on our philosophy, Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhu-le-ke-lwe ngabanikazi balo,”.
Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa handed over US$100 000 cash that was donated to the League’s national executive by Presidential Advisor, Dr Paul Tungwarara.
Bongani Moyo