Online Reporter
Joseph Madzimure and Wallace Ruzvidzo
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday launched transformative empowerment programmes for war veterans, including a farm mechanisation initiative and a US$2 million kitty that goes towards the Presidential War Veterans Empowerment Revolving Fund, to be shared equally among all the country’s 10 provinces.
The President also extended his generosity with another US$2 million war chest to war veterans dependants, war collaborators, non-combatant cadres, and ex-political prisoners and detainees.
The funds will be shared among the four categories, with each receiving US$500 000.
The US$2 million fund under the Presidential War Veterans Empowerment Revolving Fund, comes after the first tranche of US$1,5 million, launched recently and distributed to the provinces.
Each province received US$150 000, with some of the qualifying applicants already accessing funds for their income-generating projects.
Speaking at the launch of the Presidential War Veterans Empowerment Scheme at the City Sports Centre in Harare, President Mnangagwa said the fund is earmarked for income-generating projects.
“The fund should remain a revolving and sustainable initiative, which must help improve household incomes,” he said. “This must be augmented by hard honest work, discipline and character traits you all have.”
The Presidential War Veterans Empowerment Scheme launch was attended by more than 5 000 war veterans from the country’s 10 provinces.
Children of war veterans also graced the occasion.
In addition to the revolving fund, President Mnangagwa also launched an agricultural mechanisation scheme for the war veterans, where he handed over 50 tractors, with each province expected to get five.
He also launched a fleet of motor vehicles that will be used by field officers to support war veterans’ programmes.
“A targeted facility will see war veterans, who meet the criteria, having access to tractors at zero deposit. Resources towards empowering those in the mining sector are being mobilised.
“As we distribute these resources across provinces and districts, I once again urge those involved, at whatever level, to exercise accountability and ethical conduct,” emphasised President Mnangagwa.
He stressed that the schemes must benefit those who rightfully deserve.
“Hatidi humbavha. Beneficiaries must be committed to pay back the interest-free loans so that others will benefit, while setting high, productive benchmarks,” he implored. President Mnangagwa called for the use and adoption of technology to improve the overall viability and profitability of the beneficiaries’ projects. To support ongoing programmes, President Mnangagwa announced the allocation of land for agriculture and housing.
The initiative will greatly help war veterans build decent homes and engage in productive agricultural activities.
“Our land is now permanently in the capable hands of its rightful owners. Our land reform is irreversible; my administration has taken an unprecedented decision to give title deeds,” he said.
The new Land Tenure System, which has seen beneficiaries getting bankable title deeds, is meant to provide security and access to financing to beneficiaries of the land redistribution exercise.
President Mnangagwa also handed over title deeds to war veteran Cde Moses Mudyiwa, the first beneficiary of title deeds under the A1 category of farmers.
“Under this initiative, we are prioritising you, the veterans of the liberation struggle, noting the supreme sacrifices which all comrades made during our liberation struggle.
“Tinoda kutenda avo ma-war veterans varikurima. We have attained national food security and sovereignty as a result of our collective efforts. Let us continue to be a nation that is able to feed itself,” he said.
Since the inception of the Second Republic in late November 2017, some war veterans have been considered and appointed to strategic areas of governance and decision-making. President Mnangagwa commended them, saying those deployed have executed their duties with exemplary commitment and patriotism.
He said Zanu-PF is not just an ordinary party, but a sacred and formidable revolutionary mass movement.
“Together, let us be persistent, consistent, and focused on strengthening our party. It is our duty to leave a remarkable legacy for the young cadres who will follow us.
“We all have a duty to bequeath to future generations and young cadres, who will follow after us, a country that is peaceful, united, industrialised and developed,” he said.
Zanu-PF must remain indomitable, united, and a steadfast beacon of Pan-Africanism and people-centred governance, added the President.
“Let us, fellow veterans of the liberation struggle, continue to embody discipline, patriotism, loyalty, and unity. Together, we shall stay true to the ethos, principles, and guiding philosophy of the Zanu-PF party,” said President Mnangagwa.
Additionally, he challenged war veterans to share with other comrades the various support initiatives which the Zanu-PF Government is championing.
“Through you, our party’s progressive political slogan of unity, peace and development should reach the grassroots communities.
“Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo,” he said.
To date, the Presidential War Veterans Revolving Fund, housing, borehole drilling, solar and bicycle projects, have been introduced in all provinces, with impressive success and impacts.
President Mnangagwa said under the Second Republic, war veterans remain critical and important actors in advancing national goals.
He added that he treasures opportunities to be with war veterans to reflect, as well as put in place programmes and projects on how best to move the country forward.
“The veterans are forever an integral part of the people’s revolution led by our party, Zanu-PF. We take pride in you all for remaining vigilant, unwavering and persistent, resolutely defending the gains of our liberation struggle.
“I acknowledge and thank you for your active participation in the mobilisation programmes of the party.
“Maramba muri musimboti wemusango, nekutonga kwedu kweZanu-PF. Tinokutendayi mose maComrades. Siyalibonga lonke maComrades,” he said.
The selfless sacrifices made by the country’s gallant sons and daughters, said the President, would forever be etched in Zimbabwe’s memory.
He added that the party expected the war veterans to be in the trenches campaigning for more resounding victories in the upcoming by-elections in Gutu East and Insiza North.
“We will forever honour all of you, the brave men and women, including ex-detainees, war collaborators, and non-combatant cadres, who took up arms, to fight and dismantle the white colonial regime.
“Zvange zvakaoma, asi takatsunga, tikazvipira kusunungura nyika yedu yeZimbabwe.
“Some of our comrades never made it back, indeed their precious blood is etched in our national flag,” he said.
“Together, we delivered Independence, freedom, and democracy; we also realised peace and unity.”
The President said Zimbabwe’s economic emancipation is now what is being fought for.
“Our role is not done, we vowed to fight for Zimbabwe. In the past, the fight was in the battlefields; takarwa hondo mumasango akasiyana-siyana; from our operational war zones of Gaza, Tete, to Manica; from the terrains of Sipolilo, Hwange, Gokwe, Plumtree, to Hurungwe and Kariba. No part of our country was spared.
“In Highfields, Makokoba, Mtapa and Sakubva, the whole country bore the brunt of the racist Smith regime.
“Nhasi tinosungirwa kurwa muminda, kuma-factory, tichivaka migwagwa yedu, zvikoro zvedu, mahospitals edu.
“Tichishanda kumigodhi yedu, tichitambira vayenzi munyika medu, zvese izvi, kuti nyika yedu ibudirire; sevana veZimbabwe, tigare zvakanaka. This is what we must continue to fight for,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe’s hard-won independence, democracy, peace, unity and ongoing accelerated development under the Second Republic, form a solid foundation from which the country is being built.
“It is on this background and in the spirit of our war-time aspirations that we gather today, under the banner of our revolutionary mass party, Zanu-PF, to witness and celebrate this historic launch of the Presidential War Veterans Empowerment Scheme.
“Sadly, as we gather today, a number of brave sons and daughters of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe, have passed on. Some were laid to rest at our National Heroes’ Acre, while others were interred in our provinces and districts,” he said, and called for the delegates to observe a minute of silence in their honour.
The President said Zimbabwe remains victorious in the face of adversity.
“As we are aware, not all features of neo-colonialism have fallen. Some still stand. These include the illegal economic sanctions imposed on our country and the onslaught on our party, Zanu-PF, and its leadership, on various platforms by our detractors.
“The scars of liberation we carry and the bond that unites us, and our unparalleled political consciousness and vigilance are all ensuring that we remain a victorious people. I congratulate you comrades for continuing to expose rogue malcontents and opportunists.
“Let us boldly continue to weed them out, for the purpose of our revolution and in the interest of our great motherland Zimbabwe. No matter the type of machinations and disinformation, ticharamba tichizvitonga, tichizvitonga, tichingozvitonga, tichizipirwa nenyika yedu,” said President Mnangagwa.
Vice President Kembo Mohadi said the Second Republic was committed to equipping the war veterans as they fight to eradicate poverty.
“We are here today to empower our comrades so that they get armed to go and fight poverty,” he said.
Minister of War Veterans Affairs, Monica Mavhunga, thanked the President for continuously capacitating the war veterans.
However, she advocated for more financing to ensure war veterans set up big and viable enterprises so they take good care of their children and dependants.
“I express gratitude for the empowerment assets that you gave the ministry,” she said.
“We thank you for the several empowerment initiatives extended to war veterans.”
Zanu-PF Secretary for War Veterans League, Cde Douglas Mahiya, said it was encouraging to note that the Second Republic has the best interests of war veterans at heart.
“You unveiled a lot of programmes for us and we want to thank you Cde President.”
Presidential Advisor Dr Paul Tungwarara reaffirmed the war veterans’ admiration for the President.
Dr Tungwarara said the war veterans were appreciative of the interface with the President.
ends
What do we call all those women, men, boys and girls that sacrificed all their lives and resources aiding the war of liberation? Those people who had nothing but their spirits to defend themselves from the brutalities of war, those who traversed the length and breadth of motherland Zimbabwe in a bid to bring freedom? Those people who lost everything and used everything to support the struggle? Those families that lost parents, brothers and sisters while protecting,feeding and assisting the now “war vets”? Aren’t they war veterans as well? What happened to the water and fish concept that became the root for success in the liberation struggle? Why have the fish abandoned the water and decide to stand on their own? Does the term “war veteran” refer to only those who carried guns? This war was a guerrilla warfare where the povo and the fighters were one. It wouldn’t have been won without the povo. In fact without the povo all those that were carrying guns could have been wiped out with so much ease. This was clearly demonstrated during the early years of the struggle when the povo had not been involved with serious commitment. So how is it that today the so called war veterans want to isolate themselves and fight another “war” alone without their partners? Have they forgotten who were their shield? We fought together and we are all veterans of this war. No one must be treated differently. We all suffered and lost opportunities in the process. Let’s build our country together and benefit together without favouring certain groups.