The Sunday Mail
Zimbabweans should celebrate the country’s independence by reflecting on various Government programmes that have improved their lives.
Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo said the Government had introduced the Zimbabwe Agenda For Sustainable Socio Economic Transformation (ZimAsset) blueprint to further improve the lives of the people.
In his speech at the 35th Independence anniversary celebrations at the National Sports Stadium yesterday, Minister Chombo said Zimbabwe had made significant progress in the last 35 years despite attempts by detractors to demean such successes.
He said numerous programmes spearheaded by President Mugabe had contributed positively to people’s livelihoods since the attainment of independence.
“Your Excellency, let me hasten to say Government has over the past 35 years registered phenomenal progress on the socio-economic front under your able and firm guidance, despite concerted attempts by our erstwhile detractors to discredit the same,” said Dr Chombo.
Dr Chombo said the country should leverage on its impressive human capital base to successfully implement ZimAsset.
“Zimbabweans boast of having the highest literacy levels in Africa, a phenomenon attributed to the generous and deliberate investment in education by post-colonial Government,” he said
“The cornerstone of any development is human capital. With our thrust on value addition and beneficiation, all Zimbabweans are called upon to harness their diverse resources and use their capabilities in driving this country forward through the concerted implementation of the ZimAsset.”
The efficiency of the healthy delivery system, the land reform programme and the indigenisation and economic empowerment drive are symbols of the gains attained through independence, said Dr Chombo.
He said Zimbabweans were grateful that President Mugabe had spearheaded the Land Reform Programme.
Dr Chombo said the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment drive had opened access to key means of production for the majority.
He said the theme of this year’s Independence celebrations, “Zimbabwe at 35: consolidating unity, peace and economic sovereignty”, should help people reaffirm their commitment to remain vigilant and ready to defend the country’s independence.
Dr Chombo praised President Mugabe for the role he played as a liberation icon who helped bring independence not only to Zimbabwe but in other parts of Africa.
“He (President Mugabe) is the torch bearer and organic expression of our struggle for independence; is both the liberation and post-independence hero with impeccable leadership credentials; an indomitable and principled leader whose love for both Zimbabwe and Africa is legendary,” he said.
“With other liberation icons like Mwalimu Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, Samora Machel of Mozambique, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, among others, he (President Mugabe) brought independence and democracy to the people of Africa as a whole.”
