dyton mupawaenda
Herald Reporters
ZIMBABWEANS from all walks of life came out in their numbers yesterday in various parts of the country to march against the ruinous illegal sanctions imposed by the West.
It was refreshing to see some primary and secondary schools such as Oriel Boys High School and Glen View 8 Primary School in Harare taking part in the marches.
Tertiary institutions such as Harare Polytechnic and Mkoba Teachers’ College, also participated.
In Harare, civil servants marched from Munhumutapa Building and went down Samora Machel Avenue, turned left onto Julius Nyerere Way, before turning right onto Nelson Mandela Street before congregating at Africa Unity Square where they were addressed by Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga.
Glen View 8 Primary School learners marched from their school to Tichagarika Shopping Centre and back to the school.
Oriel Boys School learners marched to Chisipite shops and back to the school. Learners and school authorities told The Herald that the illegal sanctions were negatively affecting the education sector.
District Schools Inspector for Epworth, Mabvuku and Tafara, Mr Godfrey Chimbwanda, said sanctions should be removed urgently as they are causing untold pain on learners, teachers and parents.
“We are being treated unfairly by this selective application of the law. We call upon the United Nations to address the issue so that small countries are not victimised by big powers,” he said.
School head Mr Ropafadzo Matemavi said sanctions are affecting the future of children, and called for their immediate removal.
“We do have sanctions which are unjustified, which are illegal and these sanctions are impacting negatively on our education.
“Because of the sanctions, our economy is suffering and the education sector is not spared. They have impeded our children’s right to education and whoever has imposed the sanctions must withdraw them immediately. The future of our students is being disturbed,” said Mr Matemavi.
Ashely Bhelo, a Lower Sixth learner said: “Sanctions are penalties imposed on a country, which restrict progress on success.
“We have joined hands with the nation at large in supporting the anti-sanctions mantra. The sanctions must go.”
Another learner, Leeroy Kuzwayo, said the education sector is suffering because of sanctions, and encouraged all Zimbabweans to stand up and fight for their removal.
Bulawayo Metropolitan Province joined the rest of the country in commemorating the Sadc-initiated Anti-Sanctions Day.
People from all walks of life participate in the anti-sanctions march at Mutoko Centre in Mashonaland East province yesterday. — Picture: Innocent Makawa.
In her keynote address before embarking on a march from Baines Primary School to the Inxwala site, Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Judith Ncube, who was represented by the Provincial Permanent Secretary Mr Paul Nyoni, said sanctions have a devastating effect on the socio-economic development of the city.
“It is critical that as youths you should take a lead in the fight against sanctions for Zimbabwe to attain an upper middle-income status by 2030.
“It’s pleasing to note that our youths have shown resilience and determination in the face of illegal sanctions as they rally behind the President’s clarion call that ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo’,” said Minister Ncube.
“Zimbabwe is a peaceful country as enunciated by President Mnangagwa, that ‘Zimbabwe is a friend to all and an enemy to none’. Our youths should take heed of the wise words of His Excellency.” Minister Ncube said the Anti-Sanctions Day presents an opportunity for the nation to unite regardless of political differences and collectively advocate for the lifting of sanctions.
“Bulawayo Metropolitan Province joins the region in saying ‘no to sanctions’. Zimbabwe has been under economic sanctions for more than two decades and this has hindered the country’s economic growth and limited access to international lines of credit and trade.
“Without these unjustified sanctions, Zimbabwe’s economy would be thriving,” she said.
Despite the sanctions, Minister Ncube said, the country has persevered with significant development now taking place throughout the country.
She said in Bulawayo, various projects are being implemented by the Second Republic, including the construction of the Bulawayo students’ accommodation, a state-of-the-art laboratory at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), Cowdray Park Health Centre, CURE Hospital and Mpilo Central Hospital’s doctors’ quarters, among others.
“Sanctions must be lifted to allow the province and the country at large to realise Vision 2030. We therefore call for the immediate and unconditional lifting of sanctions,” said Minister Ncube.
Before her address, guests at the function, who included provincial Government heads of department and the public, were kept entertained by learners from the host school, Baines Primary, as well as Masotsha High School through songs, poems, and drama where the anti-sanctions message took centre stage.
In Matabeleland North Province, hundreds of people converged at Lupane Centre where they joined commemorated the SADC Anti-Sanctions Day.
An anti-sanctions procession commenced at Comoil Garage, ending at the main bus terminus at the district’s business centre.
Director of co-ordination in the Office of the Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Tapera Mugoriya, who was representing the Provincial Minister Richard Moyo, said he was happy with the turnout. Young people, who included the elderly, youths and school children, took part in the march.
People from Bulawayo Province joined the rest of the country in marching against illegal sanctions yesterday.
They performed touching poems that were critical of the illegal sanctions.
Other people who took part in the march include businesspeople, churches and traditional leaders.
Said Mr Mugoriya: “Without these unjustified sanctions, Zimbabwe’s economy would be thriving. The illegal sanctions imposed by the Western world are targeted at key sectors of the economy. “This has depressed economic performance and undermined service delivery.
“Sanctions must be lifted for the country to achieve its full potential.”
In Matabeleland South, stakeholders from the seven administrative districts gathered in Umzingwane District where Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, led the proceedings in Esigodini town.
The event was marked by a march from Habane Township to Esigodini Town Centre.
Minister Ndlovu said the event provided a platform for leaders to address the adverse effects of the sanctions and their impact on the socio-economic well-being of the people.
“The sanctions impede Zimbabwe’s ability to rebuild its economy, hampering efforts to improve people’s living standards, foster economic growth, and address developmental challenges.
“The impact of sanctions on Zimbabwe has been exemplified through the targeting of financial institutions.
“Notably, Standard Chartered Bank Zimbabwe faced sanctions imposed by the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). These measures have restricted the bank’s ability to conduct certain transactions and engage in international trade.”
In Beitbridge town, stakeholders led by pupils from St Mary’s High School marched through the town’s central business district, Border Boost Entrance and the major highway leading to Harare and Bulawayo.
In Manicaland Province, the Anti-Sanctions Day commemorations were held in Mutare Central District.
Scores of people marched from the downtown area of Mutare along Herbert Chitepo Street, dancing and chanting songs denouncing the economic embargo.
The procession proceeded to Meikles Park where Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, addressed the gathering.
Speaking on the side-lines of the event, Bishop Mucha Nyamukapa of Holy Cross and Grace Ministries: “We thank God for the leadership we have in the country.
“We are pleased that President Mnangagwa confirms the that the church has a critical role to play in national development, hence his mantra, ‘Nyika inovakwa, igotongwa, igonamatirwa nevene vayo’.
“As religious groups, we will continue praying for the country’s prosperity in spite of the sanctions.”
In Masvingo, hundreds of people from all walks of life including senior Government officials, representatives of the clergy, school children and ordinary people, marched in protest against sanctions.
Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Ezra Chadzamira, and Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa, headlined the list of Government officials.
Marchers waved placards from Croco Motors to the Civic Centre, with drum majorettes and the Zimbabwe National Army Band entertaining onlookers.
Some of the placards were inscribed “Pasi Nezvirango Zvehupfumi”.
In his address, Minister Chadzamira said: “I stand before you with a heavy heart, burdened by the weight of a nation’s struggle. Today (yesterday) we unite with SADC region, Africa and the progressive world to condemn the long-standing injustices meted out against the people of Zimbabwe by a few Western nations acting unilaterally and outside the UN Charter.
“We gather here at this anti-sanctions programme because we firmly believe that Zimbabwean Lives Matter; that the time has come for the shackles of sanctions to be broken and that the we must unite in harnessing the power of our youth for accelerated socio-economic development.
“Sanctions have plagued our beloved nation for far too long, thus impeding our progress, stifling our growth and leaving our people in a state of despair. They have cast a dark shadow over our hopes and aspirations. We call, press and reiterate that these illegal sanctions must go.”
Zanu PF Masvingo provincial vice chair, Cde Trust Mugabe, saluted the people of Masvingo for coming out in large numbers to support the push to remove the sanctions.
In Mashonaland West, hundreds of people converged in Kadoma where they marched from Corner Robert Mugabe and Fitts Street.
They were later addressed by Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Marian Chombo, who criticised the sanctions and called for their immediate removal.
“As a province, we are not spared by the illegal sanctions as we are failing to freely export our produce. This has affected the growth of our GDP,” she said.
Various speakers also gave solidarity speeches.
Mashonaland West Provincial Education Director, Mr Gabriel Mhuma lamented the negative effects of the sanctions on the education sector.
“Zimbabwe has introduced competency-based education at primary and secondary levels but due to the sanctions, Government and schools are finding it difficult to access machines to use for better results,” he said.
In Mashonaland Central, thousands of people gathered at Glendale Shopping Centre, and demanded the removal of the illegal sanctions. Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Christopher Magomo, thanked people in the province for participating in the march against sanctions.
“Our province is unique in that it carries various investment opportunities for our nation from irrigation development, mining production, citrus production, mechanisation in agriculture, honey production and training in agricultural development,” he said.
“Today is a sad day because of the unilateral illegal sanctions that have forced Zimbabwe to remain an under developed nation.
“Sanctions have robbed the people of Zimbabwe from enjoying the fruits of our independence and have undermined our sovereignty as an independent nation.”
Minister Magomo said the presence of thousands of people at yesterday’s anti-sanctions commemorations, indicated the hardships they are facing due to the illegal sanctions.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Deputy Minister Advocate Nobert Mazungunye, was also present, representing his Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi.
Said Deputy Minister Mazungunye: “The Anti-Sanctions Day coincides with our mandate to raise awareness and knowledge of the Constitution. This allows us to reflect on our rights as a people and a nation.
“Sanctions curtail the enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms provided for on Chapter 4 of the Constitution. These are rights and freedoms meant to be enjoyed by Zimbabweans.”
In the Midlands Province, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, led the proceedings.
Scores of people turned up for the event at Mkoba Teacher’s College.
They waved banners and placards with written messages such as, “Sanctions are evil”.
Members of the public sang songs denouncing the sanctions.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Ncube said: “The youth are the future of the nation and I implore the young people to uphold values that promote peace, unity and development.
“The youths should desist from engaging in drug and substance abuse and take part in empowerment programmes among them.”
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