Online Reporter
Midlands Bureau
VETERANS of the liberation struggle from Midlands Province have received support through the Presidential Empowerment Fund, part of the Second Republic’s ongoing efforts to honour and uplift their lives in line with the inclusive development agenda.
Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, officiated at the handover ceremony held at the Kwekwe District War Veterans offices on Tuesday morning.
The funds were delivered through Special Presidential Advisor Dr Paul Tungwarara, who administers the Fund on behalf of President Mnangagwa and has spearheaded the initiative as part of broader empowerment programmes for war veterans.
In his address, Minister Ncube commended the Second Republic for its unwavering support for the former freedom fighters.
“This is a firm commitment to honour the promise made by our listening and people-centric leader, President Mnangagwa, when he officially handed over houses built for war veterans during our 45th Independence Day anniversary celebrations in Nembudziya,” he said.
Minister Ncube said the event aligns with the Constitution, which recognises the role of veterans of the liberation struggle during and after independence.
He added that the Constitution provides for the welfare of veterans who fought in the liberation war, those who assisted fighters, and those who were restricted or detained for their political activism.
“In this regard, Midlands Province commends the Second Republic for restoring and upholding the image, dignity and economic empowerment aspirations of war veterans, cognisant of President Mnangagwa’s desire for broad-based and inclusive innovation, modernisation and industrialisation as we march towards the attainment of a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society by 2030,” said Minister Ncube.
Under the Second Republic, Minister Ncube said President Mnangagwa has rolled out robust, tangible programmes and projects designed to amplify the selfless sacrifices, commitment, resilience, loyalty, consistency and patriotism demonstrated by veterans of the liberation struggle.
“These include the creation of the War Veterans League and elevation of its leadership into the Zanu-PF Politburo, establishment of a stand-alone Ministry of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs with the mandate to address their welfare, and formation of the War Veterans Board tasked with identifying investment opportunities and pursuing the interests of war veterans,” he said.
Minister Ncube commended the war veterans who continue to lead by example by remaining solidly behind the leadership of President Mnangagwa and economic blueprints that include National Development Strategy 1, which surpassed targets, and the recently launched NDS 2.
“As Midlands Province, we carried forward to Mutare the people’s recommendation that President Mnangagwa leads the nation as President until 2030, which was overwhelmingly endorsed by the conference. In this regard, Midlands Province remains united, resolute, steadfast and unwavering in support of Resolution Number 1,” he said.
