Wallace Ruzvidzo, Zimpapers Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has directed Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs Minister, Monica Mavhunga and ZANU PF War Veterans League Secretary Cde Douglas Mahiya to facilitate the establishment of a single association representing children of liberation war veterans.
The directive is aimed at bringing together the various groupings representing children of war veterans under one umbrella body, providing them with a unified platform to engage Government on issues affecting their welfare, empowerment and participation in national development.
Announcing the directive yesterday at the inaugural Children of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Presidential Interface, Minister Mavhunga said the move would ensure that the concerns of the children were channelled through a coordinated and representative structure.
She said the initiative was part of broader efforts by the Second Republic to address the welfare and aspirations of children of liberation war veterans while ensuring that they played their part in the country’s development.
“When myself and Cde Douglas Mahiya, the Secretary of the ZANU PF War Veterans League met the President earlier, he instructed us to ensure that there is one association as that would promote unity,” she said.
Minister Mavhunga expressed gratitude to President Mnangagwa for granting the inaugural interface with children of liberation war veterans.
“It is a clear demonstration of your commitment to the welfare of war veterans,” she said.
Minister Mavhunga said the establishment of a stand alone Ministry responsible for war veterans’ affairs was further testimony to the Second Republic’s commitment to safeguarding the dignity and welfare of liberation war veterans.
She said her Ministry had been attending to the concerns and needs of the children of war veterans and was now at an advanced stage in formulating a comprehensive policy specifically addressing their welfare and empowerment.
Addressing the children, Minister Mavhunga said President Mnangagwa had heard their concerns and would continue to provide leadership in addressing the issues they had raised.
She encouraged the children to remain united, saying unity would be critical in ensuring that their concerns were effectively represented and addressed.
In his welcome remarks, Harare Metropolitan Province Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Senator Charles Tawengwa said the capital was honoured to host the inaugural
Presidential Interface with children of veterans of the liberation struggle.
He said the gathering provided an important platform for dialogue, understanding and fellowship between Government and the children of the country’s liberation war veterans.
“Today we welcome this opportunity for dialogue, understanding and fellowship.
“This dialogue finds its place under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2),” he said.
Minister Tawengwa said the interface demonstrated President Mnangagwa’s commitment to translating his vision into action and ensuring that no one and no place was left behind in the country’s development trajectory.
He said the engagement should also serve to deepen intergenerational bonds and ensure that the values and legacy of the liberation struggle continued to be passed on to future generations.
Minister Tawengwa said the interface was therefore an important step towards strengthening national unity, fostering greater understanding between generations and ensuring that the children of liberation war veterans remained part of Zimbabwe’s development journey.
Delivering his remarks, Cde Phineas Makombe, a child of a liberation war veteran and chairman of the Children of War Veterans Association, expressed gratitude to President Mnangagwa for facilitating agricultural equipment for them, saying the support would provide a foundation for them to establish and expand businesses.
“This will help us start and grow businesses,” he said.
Cde Makombe also commended Cde Mahiya and Minister Mavhunga for their efforts in advancing the interests of the children of liberation war veterans.
He said the children were seeking a review of Government-funded scholarship programmes, particularly opportunities for postgraduate studies, to broaden access to higher education.
Cde Makombe also pleaded for the children of liberation war veterans to be considered for employment opportunities in Government.
He further appealed for greater security of tenure for properties and farms left to them by their parents, saying they needed assurances that such assets would be protected from being taken away.
The appeals come as the inaugural Presidential interface provides a platform for the children of liberation war veterans to engage directly with Government on issues affecting their welfare, empowerment and participation in the country’s development.
More than 10 000 children of war veterans of the liberation struggle attended yesterday’s interface.
Ends
