Online Reporter
Nduduzo Tshuma in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has said Zimbabwe has remained resilient and economically independent despite decades of sanctions imposed following the country’s land reform programme.
Speaking during a plenary session at the World Governments Summit (WGS), President Mnangagwa acknowledged that Zimbabwe’s economy has faced significant challenges but said these difficulties had strengthened the country’s resolve to chart its own development path.
“But let me say our economy has faced challenges, I’m sure you’re aware,” said the President.
“Zimbabwe has been under sanctions for decades as a result of us reclaiming our land from the British and making ourselves independent. We seized the land and gave it to our people, so sanctions were imposed on us.”
President Mnangagwa said despite the prolonged economic pressure, Zimbabwe had managed to develop using its own internal resources and ingenuity.
“But in spite of all those constraints, we have developed, and we are happy that we have developed on our own, and we feel very independent,” he said.
He reiterated that the land reform programme was rooted in justice and historical correction, emphasising that land ownership in Zimbabwe was never meant to be based on race.
“Land did not belong to a race, it belonged to Zimbabweans,” said President Mnangagwa. “So when the colonialists took land from us, the time came when we asserted ourselves.”
The President said Zimbabwe’s land reform was not about exclusion, noting that those who accepted equality and coexistence remained in the country.
“Those who wanted to have land in the same places as the African people of Zimbabwe remained. But those who felt they were superior left,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe continues to pursue policies anchored on sovereignty, self-determination and inclusive development.
