Online Reporter
Today, President Mnangagwa is set to lead Zimbabwe in a powerful demonstration of resilience at the SADC-initiated Anti-Sanctions Day.
The President will deliver an address on the country’s resilience and progress under the yoke of the illegal embargo imposed by the United States and its Western allies.
A publication titled “Standing Against Illegal Sanctions, Resistance Policy Initiatives and Advocacy” will also be launched, showcasing insights from 15 esteemed academics.
Together with fellow SADC nations, Zimbabwe stands united in denouncing these sanctions and demanding their immediate removal.
Stay tuned for live updates from the Heritage Village!
Zimbabweans unite against sanctions
Music is playing in the background at Heritage Village in Harare, energizing the gathering as everyone eagerly awaits President Mnangagwa’s arrival, ready to unite in a powerful message of defiance and determination.
Zimbabweans from all walks of life, some dressed in national colours, wave flags and placards, expressing solidarity against the sanctions.
Sanctions are a continuation of the neo-colonial agenda
Tendai Chirau
October 25th is designated as Anti-Sanctions Day, a day to oppose the illegal and unjust sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.
These sanctions represent a continuation of the neo-colonial agenda.
Here are the key reasons for their imposition:
1. Land reclamation: To punish Zimbabwe for reclaiming its land from minority white settlers who occupied large tracts of prime territory, and redistributing it to landless indigenous people.
2. Containing success: After the land was returned to its people, the West sought to ensure the land reform programme would fail. To prevent this successful model from spreading to other African and Latin American nations, they invested in negative propaganda. They knew that if other countries followed suit, their kin who occupied vast tracts of foreign land would lose out.
3. Regime change: To remove the revolutionary ZANU PF party from power and replace it with a pro-colonial, liberal opposition. The neo-colonialists believed a new government would reverse the land reform. They aimed to achieve this through socio-economic engineering designed to make the economy “scream,” inciting public rebellion against ZANU PF.
Over 20 years later, Zimbabwe still stands under the leadership of the revolutionary ZANU PF party. A cocktail of sanctions-busting measures have been implemented to counter and minimise the negative effects.
With or without sanctions, Zimbabwe under ZANU PF will succeed. Were it not for these illegal sanctions, the pace of development would have tripled.
This challenging environment has also provided key lessons, with the most important being that “nyika inovakwa nevene vayo.”
Scene at the Museum of African Liberation on anti sanction day
The arrival of His Excellency President ED Mnangagwa at the Museum of African Liberation on Anti-Sanctions Day
Civic organisations call for removal of sanctions
Several civic organisations attending the Anti Sanctions Day have denounced the illegal embargoes imposed by the United States of America and it’s Western allies.
In their solidarity messages, the organisations described the sanctions as retrogressive.
The organisations include Citizen Against sanctions, Teachers for ED, Women for ED, December 12 Movement, Young Women in Africa, among others.
Zimbabweans speak with one voice
Resounding welcome for President Mnangagwa
President Mnangagwa has arrived at the Heritage Village, the venue for Anti-Sanctions Day.
He went into a briefing before touring various exhibitions.
He is accompanied by First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa
Some of the Cabinet Ministers accompanying him include Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri and Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere among others.
The event is also being attended by several academics that include Vice Chancellors of local universities who played a huge role in writing the first ever publication on sanctions to be launched today.
Local companies remain resilient
President Mnangagwa has completed touring exhibitions showcased by different companies, focusing on how they have remained resilient in the wake of the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.
Several dignitaries drawn from the church, political and civic groupings are in attendance.
The event is being hosted by the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting services and Permanent Secretary, Mr Nick Mangwana is the director of ceremonies.
President Mnangagwa, accompanied by First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, is touring exhibition stands at the Anti-Sanctions Day commemorations.
Prayer for Zimbabwe
Renowned clergy, Reverend Andrew Wutawunashe said God has shown his love for Zimbabwe given the country’s resilience over the past decades since the illegal sanctions were imposed.
In his word of grace to mark the official commencement of the programme, Rev Wutawunashe commended President Mnangagwa for his stewardship of the country under the yoke of sanctions.
“We want to call upon Western nations not to take our President for granted. We take this opportunity as the church to affirm our support for our President and call for the unconditional removal of sanctions.
“We thank God that as Zimbabweans we have not succumbed to the effects of the sanctions. We pray for good health upon all Zimbabweans. We need to break free from this yoke,” said Rev Wutawunashe.
Dr Muswere spotlights President Mnangagwa’s endeavours
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere is now on the podium to invite the guest of honour to deliver his keynote address.
“This is the President drilling boreholes in all rural areas, establishing village business units to improve the lives of the people. He continues to achieve more,” said Dr Muswere.
He said under President Mnangagwa’s leadership, Government systems have been computerised, while signature infrastructural projects have been unveiled, including the Trabablas interchange.
Disability is not inability
Philip Machivenyika of Danhiko, originally from Mutare, who has a disability, mesmerized the crowd as he danced gracefully using one leg.
Touched by his spirit, the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa blessed him with cash in celebration of his remarkable performance
Zimbabwe’s economic growth defies illegal sanctions, says President Mnangagwa
Zimbabwe has learnt valuable lessons from the illegal sanctions imposed on the country by the United States and its allies, President Mnangagwa has said.
In his keynote address today as the country commemorates the SADC-initiated Anti Sanction Day, President Mnangagwa said Harare takes comfort from the solidarity it gets from other countries in the region and beyond.
“Despite the effects of illegal sanctions, our national economy has been on a positive growth trajectory. Under the Second Republic, we continue to register notable increases in foreign currency earnings, marked by export receipts, diaspora remittances and foreign direct investment flows,” said President Mnangagwa.
Academic insights on Zimbabwe’s journey under sanctions
The President also launched a book titled “Standing Against Illegal Sanctions, Resistance, Policy Innovations and Advocacy”, which was written by various academics.
He described the book as well thought-out and researched, offering insightful perspectives from diverse sectors
“The book documents our resilience, showcases our policy innovations and the ongoing advocacy against the illegal sanctions. Further, it captures key highlights of the transformative policy ingenuity implemented by the Second Republic to mitigate the impact of sanctions,” said President Mnangagwa.
