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President Mugabe said this while addressing thousands of people during the launch of the Matabeleland North Community Share Ownership Trust/Scheme at the Colliery Stadium in Hwange yesterday.
Hwange Colliery board chairperson Mr Farai Mutamangira presented a US$10 million cheque to the Hwange Community Trust on behalf of the five coal mining companies that operate in the district.
Mr Mutamangira said US$3 million cash has been raised so far as seed capital for the scheme.
Mr Ian Saunders, who represented New Dawn Group of Mines, pledged US$4 million and said US$1 million was set aside for the Bubi Community Trust.
New Dawn owns Duration Gold, Isabella and Lonely Mine, which operate in Bubi District.
China-Sunlight Africa presented a cheque of US$1 million for Lupane Community Trust while PPC handed over US$1,5 million for Umguza Community Trust.
He said during the last four years, Zimbabweans had seen enough of what a dysfunctional Government was like.
The President said discord and bickering in the inclusive Government had reached a level where it was now difficult to implement development programmes,
“We have seen Bulawayo’s economy going down. We have seen the agriculture sector go unsponsored.
“Yesterday, I spoke to a seed company and they were saying they have not been paid for the seed they supplied to the Government last year to the tune of US$7 million.
“Now the Government asks them to produce enough for farmers in order to curb imports, but is unwilling to pay for last year’s seed. That is a matter we have to settle.
INDIGENISATION AND EMPOWERMENT
“If you go to Finance Minister Tendai Biti, he always says there is no money, there is no money. If there is no money what are you doing to get it? You cannot think of other ways of getting it or even borrowing.
“Some people come to you and say Zanu-PF is not good. We want development and progress, but some people just want pleasure,” he said.
The President said those who wanted to change the situation in the country were interested in other issues like “changing women”.
“We are going for elections and you have seen what our country should never do again.
“Please do not get us into that trouble again. That is not our way of doing things. Freedom fighters are people who want to move ahead.
“That is why you see me at this age still fighting and I will continue fighting because I cannot let down those heroes who are gone. I have a responsibility for you.”
The President urged Zimbabweans to work together in consolidating the gains of the liberation struggle.
He said land reform, indigenisation and economic empowerment programmes were at the heart of rebuilding the economy and improving the livelihood of ordinary people.
The President said some ministers and councillors in the inclusive Government were dismal failures.
“We had to push the relevant ministry to act on that issue. Some councillors think they are just there to squander people’s money, the rates you pay.
“Some of them did not even have bicycles but now they drive cars. That is not how we serve people,” he said.
President Mugabe urged Zimbabweans to uphold the Unity Accord.
He said despite the imposition of the illegal sanctions by the West and its allies, the country would not sink because it has vast mineral resources.
Similar schemes have been launched in Matabeleland South, the Midlands, Mashonaland West and Manicaland.
Tsholotsho, Nkayi and Binga Community Trusts were also launched at the same occasion, although no funding was set aside for them.
“We are gathered in Hwange today to demonstrate that Government, that part of Government we are proud of is driven by needs of the people and remains steadfastly committed to the empowerment of indigenous Zimbabweans,” he said.
“Indigenisation continues to create an environment conducive for the majority of our people to participate in the mainstream economy, giving them opportunities to explore and realise their potential and have restored unto them the dignity that was theirs, as God the Almighty gave them.”
President Mugabe said the indigenisation drive was meant to reverse the colonial economic imbalances where the country’s economy was dominated by foreign owned multinationals, which manipulated indigenous people.
On concerns that Matabeleland region was being marginalised and underdeveloped, the President said all the provinces were the same and the Government was working hard to foster development in all parts of the country.
“Matabeleland people always say development is in Mashonaland. Provinces look the same. They all have bad roads, require new schools, hospitals and clinics.
“Those in the periphery such as Binga, Chipinge, Dande and part of Mashonaland West and Beitbridge have been neglected as development tended to concentrate on the inner side of the country.”
President Mugabe said Matabeleland in particular had a lot of economic activities in the form of a big tourism industry, power generation in Hwangeand mining activities.Youth Development, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere said the trusts from the three districts would be sustained through the national community trust equalisation fund established under the National Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment (NIEEF) as there was no mineral resource exploitation taking place at the moment.
Speaking at the same occasion, Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr Obert Mpofu commended President Mugabe for championing the empowermentprogramme.
Local Government, Urban and Rural Development Minister Ignatius Chombo said the launch of the share scheme was a milestone towards upgrading livelihoods for previously marginalised communities.He urged local authorities and chiefs, who are in charge of the scheme, to run it efficiently and desist from abusing the funds.
Matabeleland North Governor Thokozile Mathuthu commended President Mugabe and Minister Kasukuwere and other stakeholders for making the launch a success.The launch was attended by several senior Government officials, mining company executives, chiefs from the province and local authority representatives.
Online Reporter