The Sunday Mail
1429: President Mnangagwa is now leaving the NSS marking the end to proceedings here. Thank you for joining us.
1406: President Mnangagwa is now being congratulated.
1355: VP Chiwenga has finished his Vote of Thanks.
1353: “Your election was a result of peaceful and credible elections. You succeeded ahead of 22 other contestants. The fresh mandate has bestowed upon you by the Almighty and affirmed by Zimbabweans. We hail the peaceful environment in the country albeit for the unfortunate violent incident of August 1. We are confident that you will guide the country with the support of cooperating partners and we call for unconditional lifting of sanctions. We promise you that the people will provide you full support in your quest to transform Zimbabwe,”
1351: “The Constitutional Court vindicated your victory and we are happy the rule of law was followed. Zimbabwe is open for business mantra has opened a floodgate of opportunities for the country. We are confident that through your focused leadership Zimbabwe will be a great country. With your permission I now deliver a vote of thanks. Today is a great day as we witness the inauguration of President Mnangagwa,”
1349: “VP Chiwenga congratulates President Mnangagwa. Your electoral victory is evidence of the faith reposed in you by people of Zimbabwe,”
1348: VP Chiwenga is now giving the vote of thanks.
1331: “Thank you for the confidence you have installed in me. I will work tirelessly as a servant leader for a better Zimbabwe. I exhort all parties especially those in parliament to work for our motherland. Tomorrow is brighter than yesterday. Let us endeavour to climb new heights for indeed our light has come. God bless Zimbabwe, I thank you,” says President Mnangagwa as he ends his speech.
1328: “My administration expects speedy implementation. Unnecessary bureaucracy will not be tolerated under my administration. No one is above the law…this is a new Zimbabwe. On devolution of power, provinces should now plan development of their provinces. Local authorities should be the development engines in the second republic. It will not be easy. We have endured and toiled but we will reap a more prosperous future. We must work together….nothing is beyond our reach,”
1328: “There is the need for revamping of social services sector and Government will move fast to refurbish water reticulation infrastructure. These are promises we will deliver on. My administration will continue with the advancement of youth and women empowerment. The creation of jobs will be at the core of our policies. Vision of a new Zimbabwe is a shared vision which knows no political party. I said I am your listening President. All public officers under my administration should also adopt servant leadership approach,”
1324: “Now elections are behind us we must face economic challenges facing our nation. Soon we will review BIPPAS to promote foreign investment. Now is time for us to unite and develop our country. My Government will in next 5 years will accelerate modernisation with emphasis on market development policies. We will modernise major roads, airports and railway lines. A more coherent SME policy is on the cards,”
1321: “You demonstrated that we are a peace loving people and demonstrated that our democracy has come of age,”
He condemned the unfortunate incident of violence on August 1.
“I will soon announce names of people who will investigate that incident. I am humbled by Zimbabweans who elected me and gave my party, Zanu-PF, a two thirds majority.
1320: He said we held the elections in accordance with our laws and guided by Sadc guidelines and AU principles.
“All parties were free to campaign in all parts of the country. I took it upon myself to preach peace before during and after the elections. On July 30 we voted in full glare of the world and democratically elected leaders of our choice. Thank you for heeding my call for peace,”
1319: “The Constitutional Court upheld the will of the people as expressed on July 30…the successful realisation of our shared vision 2030 will require the quick implementation of economic reform,”
1311: President Mnangagwa acknowledges the presence of MDC-T president Dr Thokozani Khupe.
“We gather here as we did last year with many similar guests. This is a new dawn for Zimbabwe. Following opening up of democratic space in Zimbabwe, we have forged a new path of democracy, peace, unity and development,”
1309: He starts starts off by reading a letter from former President Robert Mugabe. He says the former President could not attend as he together with his wife Grace Mugabe are not feeling well and are in Singapore. Bona Mugabe was sent to represent them.
1308: President Mnangagwa is now giving his Acceptance Speech.
1303: First Lady Amai Auxilia Mnangagwa is now congratulating President Mnangagwa.
1256: The parade is now performing the Quick and Slow march.
1234: President Mnangagwa is now inspecting the Parade.
1226: President now takes to the podium for the Fly past followed by the 21 gun salute.
1142: Service chiefs now congratulating and making their pledges to the President.
1133: The whole stadium is now shouting EDPfee
1134: President Mnangagwa is now taking the oath of office.
1130: Chief Justice Malaba is administering the oath of office while President-elect Mnangagwa stands before him.
1129: July Moyo, as the director of ceremonies, has asked Chief Justice Malaba to take his seat before the swearing in ceremony begins.
1127: MDC-T leader Ms Thokozani Khupe arrives at the NSS
1123: Family of God Church (FOG) founder, Andrew Wutawunashe is now giving a sermon.
1118: Chief Musarurwa kicked off the proceedings by performing traditional rites.
1106: Former President Robert Mugabe’s daughter Bona and her husband Simba Chikore is in attendance.
1105: The National Anthem is now being sung.
1102: President-elect Mnangagwa and wife Amai Auxilia Mnangagwa has arrived to a rousing welcome from the thousands of people gathered here.
1055: Zambia President Edgar Lungu has arrived.
1052: Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Thabane has arrived at the National Sports Stadium.
1050: Regional Heads of State have begun arriving at the National Sports Stadium. Among those who have already arrived are Cyril Ramaphosa, Paul Kagame, Joseph Kabila and Mokgweetsi Masisi.
1010: Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi are already seated at the National Sports Stadium.
1009: Chief Justice Luke Malaba has arrived in the company of other judges. Chief Justice Malaba will preside over the inauguration.
0940: African Union chairman and Rwanda President Paul Kagame has also arrived.
0937: Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi.
0929: Mozambican Prime Minister Carlos Do Rossario has arrived and is accomapnied by that country’s former President Joaquim Chissano.
0920: Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila has arrived.
0910: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived at the Robert Mugabe International Airport.
0850: Thousands are already gathered at the stadium while some slept here in order to be part of this historic event.
0820: We are at the National Sports Stadium where President-elect Mnangagwa is scheduled to be sworn in as the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe after winning the presidential race in the 2018 harmonised elections held on July 30. The inauguration was delayed after the defeated MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa filed a petition challenging the President-elect’s victory.
The Zanu-PF First Secretary and President’s victory was upheld by the Constitutional Court on Friday, a decision that was warmly welcomed by the millions of Zimbabweans who voted for him.
