Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
AFRICA’S vision for the future depends on investing in modern infrastructure, improving smart water management to reduce climate risks for agriculture and industry, and strengthening unity through shared resources and regional cooperation, the President has said.
In his Africa Day celebratory statement yesterday, President Mnangagwa said the commemorations were not only a celebration of the continent’s liberation, culture, dignity and identity, but also an opportunity to review Africa’s progress towards achieving “The Africa We Want”, under Agenda 2063.
“This day remains a historic as well as constant reminder of the bravery, courage, unity and determination of Founding Fathers of the Organisation of African Unity, now African Union,” he said.
“They laid a foundation for a free, united, peaceful, prosperous and integrated Africa.”
Africa Day, observed in many African countries and across the world, marks the annual commemoration of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) on May 25, 1963.
The OAU was later replaced by the African Union on July 9, 2002, although the commemorative day has continued to be observed on May 25.
This year’s Africa Day celebrations are being held under the theme, “Assuring sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems to achieve Agenda 2063”.
President Mnangagwa said the theme remains crucial to shaping the continent’s future, adding that water security and improved sanitation are central to Africa’s long-term development goals.
“Water is an essential resource and the lifeblood of our continent’s development aspirations.
“From the mighty Nile River to the Zambezi River, from Lake Kariba and Lake Victoria to the aquifers beneath the Kalahari and Sahara Deserts, water has shaped our civilisations, sustained our peoples. It shall continue to determine our future.
“Access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene is a basic human need for health and well-being. Additionally, water remains a critical ingredient to Africa’s quest for industrialisation, job creation and overall economic growth,” he said.
African institutions of higher learning, research centres and innovators should continue creating and scaling homegrown solutions designed to address the continent’s distinct challenges, said President Mnangagwa.
He added that Africa’s future hinges on Africans’ capacity to draw on their knowledge, resources and ingenuity in keeping with the philosophy, “African solutions to African problems.”
Zimbabwe remains committed to advancing sustainable infrastructure development, water security, climate resilience, and inclusive economic empowerment through transformative national projects.
Some of the projects include the Chirundu Water Supply and Sanitation Project Phase One, which is being implemented by ZINWA.
There is also the Glassblock Bopoma Dam and Pipeline Project aimed at improving water supply to Bulawayo City and surrounding areas.
Water demand is rising across the country due to rapid population growth, expanding urbanisation and growing requirements from agriculture, industry and the energy sector.
As such, the President said it is now urgent that the requisite investments be made towards enhancing national and regional availability of water resources.
“This requires the adoption of innovative solutions, collective responsibility and partnerships at all levels.
“The active participation of communities, private sector, development partners, research institutions, youth, and women should, therefore, be scaled up,” he said.
Innovation, science and technology are expected to become central pillars that support water harvesting, waste-water recycling, solar-powered water systems, and digital monitoring technologies.
The President said such solutions must be supported, scaled up, and adapted to the grassroots levels for the benefit of communities.
The Second Republic continues to show its commitment to modernising infrastructure, enhancing water security, promoting innovation and supporting gender inclusion through a range of initiatives aimed at advancing sustainable socio-economic development.
He added that the “Empowering Women-Led Drone Enterprises for Water-Efficient Agriculture and Livelihood Diversification in Zimbabwe” project seeks to ensure the use of advanced drone technologies to promote climate-smart agriculture and women’s economic empowerment.
“My administration continues to avail resources to local authorities, to guarantee water availability and safe sanitation for our communities,” said President Mnangagwa.
At the AU Assembly held last February, Heads of State and Government adopted the Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy, which sets out an ambition for an Africa where water basins are treated as shared natural assets capable of promoting peace, supporting trade, strengthening regional integration and improving political stability.
The policy also envisages a continent in which people have universal access to safely managed water and sanitation services, including during emergency situations.
President Mnangagwa said the recent, unprecedented disruptions being seen in hydrological patterns were regrettable.
“Droughts and floods, have increasingly become persistent features in many of our communities.
“We must fundamentally shift our paradigm to recognise water as a strategic economic asset.
“Water is intrinsically linked to food security, energy production, and ecosystem health,” he said.
At the moment, agriculture accounts for 73,4 percent of Africa’s water withdrawals, yet only 5 percent of the continent’s irrigation potential is used.
Similarly, the continent’s energy ambitions depend on water security.
President Mnangagwa said with only 15 to 30 percent of Africa’s hydropower potential tapped, Africa has the opportunity to light up and industrialise, while creating millions of jobs.
“The proposed African Single Electricity Market and strategic transboundary water projects under Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa, is a welcome initiative for the realisation of shared prosperity.
“Zimbabwe reaffirms its unwavering commitment to Pan-Africanism, solidarity, and the advancement of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“On this important occasion, I call upon all Zimbabweans, especially our youth, to embrace the values of patriotism, loyalty, discipline, hard-honest work, environmental stewardship, and innovation as we build a modern, industrialised, and prosperous Zimbabwe within a united, integrated and prosperous Africa.
“Together, as one people and one continent, let us continue marching forward to achieve the aspirations of Agenda 2063. I wish Zimbabwe and the African continent a Happy Africa Day,” said President Mnangagwa.
