Online Reporter
Mkhululi Ncube, Zimpapers Writer
WAR VETERANS from Bulawayo and Matabeleland North provinces yesterday received tractors donated by President Mnangagwa as part of an empowerment initiative aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and boosting national food security.
The tractors form part of the first batch of 100 units handed over to war veterans countrywide in September, with each of the country’s 10 provinces receiving 10 tractors.
The tractor mechanisation programme is a component of a broader empowerment package recently launched by President Mnangagwa, which also includes a US$2 million revolving fund to be shared equally among the provinces.
Under the scheme, President Mnangagwa pledged to cover 50 percent of the cost of each tractor, with the balance to be paid by beneficiaries through financing arrangements with AFC Bank, which is also overseeing distribution.
Speaking during the handover ceremony held at the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) station in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) national chairperson Cde Cephas Ncube expressed gratitude to the President, saying the initiative would significantly empower war veterans and contribute to food security.
“We would like to thank our President for giving us these tractors. I, therefore, challenge the recipients to use them for their intended purpose and not abuse them, in line with President Mnangagwa’s vision of empowering freedom fighters,” he said.
“The President, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, our Patron and First Secretary of Zanu-PF, is always thinking about his colleagues, the war veterans. We were given 100 tractors across the country, with each province getting 10. We are here as Bulawayo and Matabeleland North to receive the tractors.”
Cde Ncube said the programme targets all war veterans who own farms and is meant to improve land utilisation.
Those in need of tractors were encouraged to apply through their respective provincial structures.
Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube, who was represented by the province’s permanent secretary Mr Paul Nyoni, urged beneficiaries to utilise the equipment productively.
“Tractors should become a common sight, just like boreholes. We must make irrigation widespread by fully utilising this equipment to boost food security,” she said.
In her welcome remarks, Minister Ncube thanked President Mnangagwa for fulfilling his promise to empower war veterans in Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South, describing him as a leader who listens to the people.
Speaking on behalf of Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo, the province’s director for coordination Mr Tapera Mugoriya hailed the Second Republic’s empowerment thrust.
“The President continues to empower all sectors of society — youths, women, ex-detainees and war veterans — in line with the vision that no one and no place should be left behind,” he said.
Minister Moyo assured the President that the tractors would be used responsibly and for their intended purpose.
“I would like to thank His Excellency, President Dr ED Mnangagwa and his administration for continuously seeking to empower each and every sector of our society — the youth, women, our ex-detainees, war veterans — which is the thrust of the Second Republic to make sure that no one and no place is left behind,” he said.
“As Matabeleland North, we feel humbled by this gesture of empowering our veterans of the liberation struggle. We want to assure the President that these tractors are going to be put to good use, used responsibly and in a manner that befits the hand that gave them.”
Minister Moyo also commended initiatives such as Village Business Units (VBUs), saying empowered communities were key to achieving Vision 2030, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy.
One of the beneficiaries, Cde Sehlule Jele, a ZANU-PF Central Committee member, said the tractor would transform her farming operations.
“I was allocated land, but farming was a challenge. This gift will make things easier. We will work hard to feed our families, the nation and also assist our neighbours,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Cde Happiness Sibanda, said she would use the tractor both on her farm and at her mine, while Cde Ntando Dube, who farms in Nyamandlovu, said the initiative had eased his workload.
“We thank the President for this empowerment gesture. I will deploy the tractor at my farm in Nyamandlovu,” said Cde Dube.
