derick.khumalo
Gibson Mhaka
[email protected]
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has been hailed for creating an enabling environment for Zimbabweans in the diaspora to contribute to national development through investment, innovation, skills transfer and youth empowerment.
Speaking at the Zimbabwe Achievers Association (ZAA) Diaspora Week 2026, in Harare on Friday, ZAA UK chairman and Zanu-PF Kumusha Home Ekhaya(KHE) Diaspora Coordinator Cde Pardon Tapfumaneyi said the President’s “Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo/Ilizwe Lakhiwa Ngabanikazi Balo” philosophy had continued to inspire Zimbabweans abroad to play an active role in rebuilding the country.
The Diaspora Week was held under the theme, “Connecting Global Zimbabweans for Investment, Innovation and Youth Empowerment.”
Cde Tapfumaneyi said the diaspora had a critical role to play in supporting the country’s development agenda under Vision 2030 and the Second National Development Strategy (NDS 2).
“Thank you, Your Excellency, for your clear vision and leadership under Vision 2030 and NDS 2.
“Your mantra, ‘Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo/Ilizwe Lakhiwa Ngabanikazi Balo” continues to inspire us in the diaspora to come home and build,” he said.
He commended President Mnangagwa and Government for what he described as major development projects that were transforming the country and providing tangible evidence of the Government’s development agenda.
Cde Tapfumaneyi cited the Trabablas Interchange, African Liberation Museum, National Heroes Acre, the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden and the President’s Precabe Farm as some of the projects witnessed by the ZAA delegation during its recent visit to Zimbabwe.
“These projects are living testimony that under your leadership, Zimbabwe is indeed rising,” he said.
Cde Tapfumaneyi also congratulated President Mnangagwa and Government on the passage and signing into law of Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, describing it as a step towards consolidating the country’s sovereignty and development agenda.
He expressed gratitude to Government for providing transport and logistical support to the ZAA delegation during its visit to Zimbabwe.
“Your Excellency, we further thank you for your support through Government in providing the ZAA delegation with transport and logistics during our recent visit home,” he said.
Cde Tapfumaneyi said the support had enabled the delegation to gain first-hand appreciation of Government’s development projects.
He also thanked the newly appointed ZAA patron, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Tino Machakaire, for facilitating the diaspora engagement platform.
“Minister, your energy, commitment and door-opening spirit have been instrumental in facilitating this Diaspora Week.
“Because of you, the diaspora community now has a dedicated platform to engage, invest and contribute,” he said.
Cde Tapfumaneyi said the presence of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira as guest of honour demonstrated Government’s commitment to treating the diaspora as an important partner in national development.
He said Zimbabweans scattered across the globe, including professionals such as doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers, lawyers, entrepreneurs and innovators, were already contributing to the country’s development.
“You are Vision 2030 in motion,” he said.
However, Cde Tapfumaneyi called for greater attention to Zimbabweans facing difficulties in the diaspora, including those who had overstayed, failed asylum seekers and those whose Certificates of Sponsorship had been revoked.
He said such people should not be excluded from national development efforts because they still possessed valuable skills and remained capable of contributing to Zimbabwe.
“We believe in ‘leaving no one and no place behind.’
There are Zimbabweans in the diaspora who are struggling.
“They too have skills and patriotism to contribute to Vision 2030. We must find ways to empower them,” he said.
Cde Tapfumaneyi also thanked President Mnangagwa for supporting Zimbabweans affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa, saying Government assistance had helped affected citizens.
Turning to the youth, he challenged young Zimbabweans in the diaspora to take a leading role in investment and innovation
“You are not the leaders of tomorrow. You are the leaders of today. This Diaspora Week is for you. Innovate, invest and lead,” he said.
Cde Tapfumaneyi, urged Zimbabweans abroad to take advantage of the Government’s engagement and re-engagement drive.
“The door is open. The President has said ‘Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo/Ilizwe Lakhiwa Ngabanikazi Balo” Let us take advantage of this open-door policy to participate fully in both the building of Zimbabwe and in our revolutionary party, Zanu-PF,” he said.
He said diaspora participation could take various forms, including investment, skills transfer, mentorship, innovation and remittances.
Cde Tapfumaneyi also saluted sponsors and partners who supported Diaspora Week and thanked the United Kingdom and other host countries for providing a home to Zimbabweans living abroad.
He said Zimbabweans in the diaspora had a responsibility to be productive citizens in their host countries while simultaneously contributing to the development of their motherland.
“As we leave here today, let us go with a renewed spirit. Let us be builders, not bystanders. Let us be investors, not spectators,” he said.
“Together, under the leadership of His Excellency President Mnangagwa, we will achieve Vision 2030: An Upper Middle Income Zimbabwe.”
