Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka, Zimpapers Politics Hub
THE recent acknowledgement by President Mnangagwa, who is also Zanu-PF’s First Secretary, of the indomitable spirit, sacrifices, and commitment of war veterans to the sustainable growth of the ruling party is a highly welcome and significant development. It comes as the revolutionary party prepares for its forthcoming 22nd Annual National People’s Conference in Mutare.
The Conference is scheduled to take place at Mutare Polytechnic from October 13 to 18.
Addressing the Third National Assembly for the War Veterans, Ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees League held at Zanu-PF Headquarters in Harare last Friday, President Mnangagwa declared that their participation in national decision-making and their economic empowerment remain a top priority for the Government. He emphasised that Zanu-PF is counting on their mobilisation capacity to secure victory in the 2028 elections.
President Mnangagwa, himself a decorated veteran of the liberation struggle, highlighted his administration’s concrete steps to improve the livelihoods and welfare of former freedom fighters — a bold statement underscoring the Second Republic’s commitment to their well-being.
“In my quest to ensure that we continue to secure your welfare and dignity, I set up a fully-fledged Ministry of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs. Under this ministry, modalities are already in place to advance welfare matters of veterans of the liberation struggle. These include constitutional obligations of honouring you,” he said.
He reiterated the importance of their input in governance.
“In addition, the participation of our veterans of the liberation struggle in decision-making, governance, and development institutions remains my Government’s area of priority.”
The President then outlined several empowerment projects his administration has embarked on to uplift the former freedom fighters.
“The Second Republic, under my leadership, remains committed to empowering you, our war veterans. In this regard, I introduced the Presidential War Veterans Empowerment Schemes to assist you to improve your household incomes and lead a better quality of life. These include a revolving fund, housing project, and borehole drilling programme, among others.”
He further highlighted the commencement of a key initiative geared towards enhancing agricultural output.
“I am enthused that the distribution of tractors, under the Presidential War Veterans Mechanisation Programme, has already begun. Through such initiatives, we must stand ready to increase our production and productivity, value-add and package our quality products for the benefit of our nation and also to export to other countries,” he said.
President Mnangagwa also acknowledged the strides made by the War Veterans League regarding the ongoing mobilisation exercise across all the country’s 10 provinces.
This strategic emphasis on directly improving the welfare and livelihoods of former freedom fighters is immensely important as the party heads to Mutare for its 22nd Annual National People’s Conference. By showcasing concrete initiatives like the Presidential War Veterans Empowerment Schemes, the revolving fund, and the mechanisation programme, President Mnangagwa is consolidating support from a key demographic that forms the ideological backbone and grassroots muscle of Zanu-PF.
Addressing long-standing welfare concerns not only reaffirms the party’s revolutionary legitimacy but also pre-empts potential internal dissent among veterans, thereby ensuring a unified and energised support base ready to fully engage in the crucial mobilisation drive for the 2028 elections, which will undoubtedly be a key focus of the Conference.
The Zanu-PF Constitution also mandates that war veterans, ex-political prisoners, detainees, and restrictees protect the party and its leadership. These individuals remain vital in driving the country’s quest to achieve its national objectives by offering leadership in communities and at the national level, making the addressing of their social and economic needs essential.
Therefore, the creation of projects and programmes by the party and Government to assist war veterans in reinserting themselves back into society is a noble and necessary idea.
Addressing war veterans on Tuesday, Zanu-PF Secretary for War Veterans Affairs, Cde Douglas Mahiya, affirmed that the war veterans are ready to work towards the transformation of the country’s economy in line with Vision 2030.
“We want to be transformed from being political soldiers as we did to becoming economic soldiers so that we are able to document and support the economic trajectory of Zimbabwe,” said Cde Mahiya.
He called upon the war veterans to remain united, honour the sacrifices of the liberation struggle, and rally behind President Mnangagwa as the country advances its national development agenda. Cde Mahiya said the courage demonstrated by the sacrifices made by war veterans ensures that the nation will always remain independent.
“It is a great milestone for Zimbabwe, even in the midst of neo-colonial machinations and illegal sanctions imposed on us,” he noted, adding, “Even under this environment, we as war veterans have to resolutely protect the integrity of our independence and the interests of our nation against those who wish us to fail.”
Cde Mahiya further commended the President for his unwavering support since the League’s establishment in 2022.
While the war veterans have already benefited from the War Veterans Presidential Fund, additional resources are clearly required to achieve meaningful and sustainable empowerment. This push for increased resources and welfare programmes is therefore critical and timely as Zanu-PF convenes its Conference, where the War Veterans League also plays a vital role in unifying the party and setting the political agenda.
Ultimately, the President’s declaration serves as a strategic reinforcement of the symbiotic relationship between the ruling party and the war veterans. The commitment to addressing the ex-combatants’ social and economic needs provides the political bedrock for the party’s future success, confirming that the welfare of the veterans is not merely a moral obligation but a critical component of Zanu-PF’s long-term dominance and political strategy.
Their unified strength is poised to be the defining factor as the party charts its course for the coming electoral cycle.
