The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda Sunday Mail Reporter
Zimbabwe’s economy has the potential to grow significantly if those in leadership positions shun corruption and stop the abuse of power, Acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said. Cde Mnangagwa was addressing hundreds of Christians yesterday at the Harare Pan-African Leadership Initiative’s National Presidential Prayer Breakfast. Quoting various Bible verses, Cde Mnangagwa spoke against corruption and abuse of power.
“If we, in leadership positions, as the people of influence within our nation, conduct ourselves with righteousness, continue upholding justice, honesty and peace, then the entire nation will be transformed for the better.
“We have a crucial role to play in our constituencies. There is need to be guided by He who created humanity. I say this: Be guided and encouraged by Philippians Chapter 2 Verse 3, which says, ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves.”
He added: “One of our national goals is to build a harmonious and united nation, full of love and respect among our people. In this regard, our quest to combat corruption and abuse of power, especially among those in leadership positions, is testimony to what the scripture reminds us in Hosea 9 Verses 7-9; that indeed the days of punishment are coming and we need to be reminded continuously of this verse.
“One by one, let us introspect, inspired by Paul’s letter to Timothy and choose to do what is right. “I am confident this leadership initiative will have far-reaching consequences. This initiative has the potential to foster economic prosperity because there will be stability, peace and unity among our people.
“Our job, as leaders, is to shepherd the country with integrity and guide individual capacities and development in the context of our Christian values as espoused in John Chapter 10 verse 11. “The story of a good shepherd, one who leads by example, a leader of patience, a leader who empathises with people’s circumstances and corrects that which is wrong, one who is protective of his folk. Our great country needs these values.”
The Acting President also emphasised the need for humility among leaders and hailed the country’s new Constitution for acknowledging the supremacy of God. “I have always thought that it is enough for people to know that we lead, but now we might question ourselves: Who leads us? Fortunately for us here in Zimbabwe, under the astute leadership of His Excellency, President Robert Mugabe, we have adopted a new Constitution which begins with a preamble…our preamble acknowledges the supremacy of God.
“I hope this dialogue and the more to come will be able to dissuade leaders from activities that destroy the social fabrics of our nation. This explains our commitment, as Government and as outlined in Zim-Asset, of a desire to see an empowered society with a growing economy, fully exploiting the resources as given to them by God without us asking for them.”
“We must, therefore, seek to consolidate the position of agriculture by improving our policies that benefit farmers and bring prosperity and ensure food security on the table of every humble family.”
Founder of the African Enterprise — the event organisers — Dr Michael Cassidy hailed President Mugabe for his unwavering stance against homosexuality.
“It is good that (Zimbabwe) has taken a tough stance against same sex marriage. You are lucky to have President Mugabe who is strong against that. The last time I came here was in 1994; I shared the podium with President Mugabe. Now I am back, 20 or so years later, but he is still amazingly strong, intelligent — unbelievable.
“Homosexuality is unnatural, unscriptural and contrary to the Bible. It is contrary to all religion and contrary to 21st century Christian moral theology.”
