Online Reporter
We publish below President Mnangagwa’s full speech at the SADC Anti-Sanctions Day commemorations at the Heritage Village in Harare yesterday.
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TODAY, Zimbabwe joins the SADC region, entire African continent and other progressive nations in commemorating this year’s edition of the SADC Anti-Sanctions Day.
This special day, which was specifically set aside by the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in Tanzania, reaffirms regional solidarity in the call for immediate and unconditional lifting of the illegal and unjustified sanctions imposed on our country.
May I, on behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Zimbabwe and, indeed, on my own behalf, express profound gratitude for the solidarity rendered to us by our brothers and sisters from the SADC region, Africa and beyond in advancing this noble cause.
Unapologetically, our country took a courageous and bold step to redress the historical social and economic injustices of the colonial era. This included the unfair and skewed land distribution, as well as other ownership systems that marginalised our people.
Through sanctions, some Western countries sought to punish us for asserting our sovereignty and pursuing equal economic development for the benefit and prosperity of the people of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe.
The arduous journey we have walked, including during our liberation struggle, has given us valuable lessons.
We are now stronger in our conviction that, through unity of purpose, peace, focus, hard-honest work, resilience and innovative pursuits, any obstacle, in whatever form, can be overcome.
As a people, we are more aware that the future of our country rests squarely in our hands.
Our national development philosophy, “Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo, has become imprinted in our collective national psych.
It emboldens us, serving as a source of inspiration and a rallying call to action.
We are facing, head-on, challenges and shocks such as these illegal heinous sanctions, climate change-induced droughts and other public health emergencies.
Us, the Zimbabwean people, are masters of our own destiny. The flame of our independence, freedom and sovereignty burns brighter.
The great walls of our nation, our house of stone, remain strong and will never be breached.
Over the years, we have made tremendous progress in our efforts to promote a self-sufficient and food-secure nation.
Comprehensive people-centred programmes and projects have been put in place to enhance agricultural productivity.
Climate-proofing our agriculture has seen the country attaining food self-sufficiency.
Natural calamities have been met with swift mitigation, adaption and resilience-building programmes.
Despite the effects of illegal sanctions, our national economy has been on a positive growth trajectory.
Under the Second Republic, we continue to register notable increases in foreign currency earnings, marked by export receipts, diaspora remittances and foreign direct investment inflows.
Manufacturing, mining, infrastructure development, energy as well as the tourism and hospitality industry have shown resilience and growth.
Zimbabwe is Open for Business, and the concrete measures to improve the ease of doing business in our country is ongoing.
An array of regulatory reforms is being implemented across different sectors of the economy.
These are seeing the simplification of compliance procedures and reducing excessive levies and overlapping costs to create a conducive environment for both domestic and foreign direct investments.
The evidence is all around us that the resolve, determination and hard work of our people continue to be instrumental in overcoming the restrictive illegal sanctions.
We shall never be deterred as we build, modernise and industrialise our country.
Brick by brick, stone upon stone and step by step, we are resolutely charting and succeeding in our own developmental path towards achieving the national Vision 2030 for an “empowered and prosperous upper middle-income society”.
Fellow compatriots, the theme of this year’s edition of the SADC Anti- Sanctions Day, “Inclusive Development through Heritage-based Innovation and Industrialisation in a Multilateral World”, is both timely and appropriate.
It is a befitting reminder of the value of heritage-based innovation as our national development blueprint for broad, inclusive growth, dignity and self-determination.
My Government recognises the potential of heritage-based innovation and production as a catalyst for value addition, beneficiation and inclusive economic growth.
We are, thus, implementing targeted initiatives to empower communities so that they leverage and tap into their respective comparative advantages to meet global demand for the unique and authentic Zimbabwean products.
In this regard, marketing authorities have scaled up the promotion of export of goods, services and minerals, among others.
These are rooted in our cultural identity and indigenous knowledge systems, including traditional foods, arts, crafts and culture.
In navigating the path towards sustainable economic development, Zimbabwe, like other developing countries, recognises the critical importance of access to flexible and reliable lines of credit.
Regrettably, the illegal economic sanctions have fundamentally disrupted the ability of our country to access global lines of credit.
To ensure the continuity of our developmental agenda, my administration has adopted home-grown innovative development financing models, to drive our country forward.
Similarly, the implementation of political and legislative reforms that benefit the people of our country are ongoing and entrenching our standing as a constitutional democracy.
Through modernising and industrialising our economy, as well as shaping our own narratives, we are demonstrating that locally driven progress can never be sanctioned or delayed.
Together, in unity, we are marching forward, defying the odds. Victory is certain.
Despite the challenges posed by the illegal and heinous sanctions, our country remains committed to multilateralism and international cooperation towards realisation of global peace, security, justice and equitable development.
Zimbabwe is “a friend to all and enemy to none”.
Our doors are open and our hands remain outstretched to all nations, private sector stakeholders and development partners.
We stand ready to welcome those willing to work with us, as we build stronger, win-win partnerships and synergies for shared prosperity and lasting development.
As a progressive member of the international community, we will continuously lend our voice and efforts in addressing threats to global peace and stability.
Hence, Zimbabwe has presented its candidature for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for the term 2027 to 2028.
Under the Second Republic, we are committed to tell our story, from our own Zimbabwean and African perspective; anchored in our rich liberation history and heritage as well as experiences in the post-independence era.
In this spirit, it is most opportune that today we unveil a new book titled “Standing Against Illegal Sanctions: Resistance, Policy Innovations and Advocacy”.
This well-thought-out and thoroughly researched literary work offers insightful perspectives from diverse sectors and scholars with regards to the road we have walked since the imposition of the illegal economic sanctions.
The book documents our resilience, showcases our policy innovations and the ongoing advocacy against the illegal sanctions.
Further, it captures key highlights of the transformative policy ingenuity implemented by the Second Republic to mitigate the impact of sanctions.
This book is indeed a record of our struggle and source of inspiration for both current and future generations.
I commend those who contributed to this volume. These include renowned members of the academia, researchers, institutions of higher learning; (and) those in the creative cultural industries.
Commendation is equally extended to the editors — Professor Paul Mapfumo, Mr Richard Mahomva and Dr Tawanda Zinyama — along with those who presented the enlightening papers that make up this volume.
You are our new and emerging heroes, contributing to our nations’ body of knowledge. Well done!
Never take this responsibility lightly; serve in this field through authorship that is factual, broad and undefiled.
Always look to advance nation-building, unity, development and a positive image of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe.
INSTAK, who are the publishers of the book, is congratulated for the role it is playing towards the documentation, preservation and promotion of Zimbabwe and African stories.
The ongoing dialogue and persistent advocacy for the total removal of the illegal sanctions is not in vain. Well done to all other stakeholders who made this project a success.
Meanwhile, our country welcomes steps taken by some Western countries to repeal the sanctions regime as constructive steps in the right direction.
We, however, reaffirm our position and calls for total and unconditional lifting of the unjustified unilateral sanctions.
It is through the removal of the entire sanctions regime that a conducive environment can be created for accelerated development and prosperity for the people of our motherland, Zimbabwe.
As one united, peace-loving and unitary nation, we stand proud of the sacrifices we have made over the years to empower our people, modernise, industrialise and grow our economy under very difficult circumstances. Much more work lies ahead of us.
We look forward with optimism and great confidence. The past years of our country under the albatross of sanctions must serve as a reminder of our capabilities and strength.
They must remind us that no force or country, no matter how big or sophisticated, can ever derail our progress or weaken our resolve.
Our obligation to building a prosperous and self-reliant Zimbabwe is unshakeable.
As the people of this great nation, we remain unflinching in our belief that Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe,likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo.
Together, in one accord, we echo our standing call that the illegal economic sanctions must be totally and unconditionally removed . . . It is equally my honour and privilege to declare the book “Standing Against Illegal Sanctions: Resistance, Policy Innovations and Advocacy” officially launched.
God bless you all.
God bless Zimbabwe.
I thank you.
