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Diana Nherera Harare Bureau
Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko yesterday presented his maiden speech in the National Assembly in which he implored Zimbabweans to come up with a shared national vision for the good of the country.
“I’m fully convinced that as a nation we should facilitate consensus building towards that shared vision of a peaceful and prosperous Zimbabwe. The tragedy of our times is actually not in the act of falling, but in the refusal to rise and move on,” said VP Mphoko.
“We sometimes seem to cherish the memory of what keeps us down instead of what builds and strengthens us as a people,” he said.
VP Mphoko, who is Acting President, appealled to Zimbabweans to be wary of machinations by Western countries that still harbour a desire to exploit weaker nations’ resources.
“The countries that were responsible for the scramble for Africa have never apologised for their conspiracy. Instead, during their meeting in Lisbon, Portugal in 2007, they reiterated their February 26, 1885 positions and agreed that if any country was a former British colony and experiences conflict, including armed conflict, Great Britain should take the lead in finding a solution. This applies to all former colonial masters,” he said.
“The West is designing another conspiracy, this time involving minerals. They’re crafting a binding law to the effect that all strategic minerals don’t belong to any one individual country, but to humanity,” he said.
The Vice President thanked President Mugabe for appointing him to his position and pledged to work to the best of his abilities.
“I would like to thank His Excellency RG Mugabe, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, for appointing me to the post of Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and pledge that I’ll serve in that position with due diligence and professionalism,” he said.
“It’s really a momentous occasion for me, especially as I make my maiden speech in this august House at 74 years old, shy only with one day to be 75 years, 35 years after Zimbabwe gained its independence and having spent 16 years at the forefront fighting for democracy in Zimbabwe. For that, I glorify my God almighty,” he said.
VP Mphoko, who is also Minister of State responsible for National Healing, Peace and Reconciliation, said he would bring a Bill to facilitate the healing process in the country.
“Let me just brief the house that during this session, I shall be presenting the National Peace and Reconciliation Bill for your consideration. You’re aware, Mr Speaker Sir, that no healing process can succeed unless there’s a shared national vision of the desired future,” he said.
The Vice President stood firm on his position that it was not in the nation’s interest to go back to the Gukurahundi issue, but to move forward and find ways to improve lives of people that were affected during the period.
“What we need to do as a people is to move forward. Let’s look at things that affect us now,” he said.
VP Mphoko said what was necessary was to address the plight of people affected during the period who are failing to get identity documents and therefore failing to attend school.
He blasted the high prevalence of corruption in the country and challenged Parliamentarians to educate their constituencies on the effect of the vice.
“Zimbabwe shouldn’t adopt corruption as a way of life as that would destroy the very fabric of society to Zimbabwe’s demise. All MPs are implored to embark on intense educational campaigns to educate their constituencies on the dangers of corruption and that it’s their duty to preserve all public assets,” he said.
Online Reporter