(HERALD) War vets back President
War vets back PresidentHerald Reporters
THOUSANDS of war veterans yesterday marched through the streets of Harare in solidarity with President Mugabe in the wake of machinations by the West to effect illegal regime change in Zimbabwe and expressing their support for him as the Zanu-PF candidate in next year’s presidential election.
The placard-waving ex-combatants — who were sloganeering and singing revolutionary songs — expressed confidence in Cde Mugabe’s leadership, urging him to stand for re-election next year.
"We will die with our President," "Mugabe is right," "No going back on Land" and "Zimbabwe will never be a colony again" are some of the inscriptions that were on the placards.
Addressing the war veterans at the Zanu-PF Headquarters later in the day, President Mugabe scoffed at the Australian government’s decision to fund opposition political activities in Zimbabwe in an attempt to effect illegal regime change, saying the move would never reverse the country’s hard-won independence.
He said the A$18 million pledged mainly to the MDC Tsvangirai faction by Australian Prime Minister Mr John Howard would not bring about the desired puppet regime.
Zanu-PF, he said, was poised to win next year’s harmonised elections resoundingly.
"Howard is giving A$18 million to assist the opposition parties to destroy our unity and inheritance, but money will not achieve anything in dividing us. The land is ours. We came from the soil. Life is in the soil," said Cde Mugabe.
Mr Morgan Tsvangirai this week met Mr Howard to thank him for imposing sanctions against Zimbabwe, and revoking the study visas of children whose parents are accused by Canberra of propping up the Government.
The President said since the Government compulsorily acquired land from whites for redistribution to the landless majority, Britain and its Western allies had come up with various machinations to fight back.
He said the British led some Western countries in imposing illegal sanctions, raising issues of alleged dictatorship, accusing the Government of lawlessness and human rights excesses.
He said the British used false reports from some non-governmental organisations, Mr Tsvangirai and other civic organisations such as the National Constitutional Assembly of Dr Lovemore Madhuku to justify their attacks on the establishment.
"They used many ways to peddle lies and giving wrong information. They accused us of political sins. We have governed this country better than (former Prime Minister Tony) Blair has done to his Britain."
He said in Britain, cases of murder, especially of children, were increasing daily and discrimination against blacks was also high.
The President said despite this discrimination, some Zimbabweans who did not have the country at heart were flocking to the United Kingdom to become "slaves".
"Our country has more riches than Britain. Our wealth is in the land. Those who were given land and are working hard in their lands have become rich," he said.
Cde Mugabe said land could be used in so many ways for immense benefits.
The President also said while the Government had done a lot to empower its people economically, there were other sectors, such as mining, which were still under the control of whites.
He said British and Australian companies owned most of the mines that were engaged in underhand dealings to sabotage the economy.
The President said some businesspeople were hiking prices daily in a bid to incite people to revolt against the Government to further the illegal regime change agenda.
"Is it profit making only or a diabolic spirit to destroy the economy?" he asked.
"They have no measure and limit in their being unethical. If we remain united, our truth and commitment to our country will keep us united together," he said.
Cde Mugabe also expressed concern over the apparent greed displayed by some people in leadership positions who took advantage of the recent price reductions to hoard goods for resale on the illegal parallel market at exorbitant prices.
He warned against corrupt activities, saying the culprits should be disciplined as they should lead by example.
Cde Mugabe also scoffed at reports that Britain and its Western allies had offered him an exit package to force him to retire and leave Zimbabwe.
"Exit package, for what? For where? Leaving my soil? Kusiya ivhu rangu ndichienda kune raani? Kune mudzimu wani? Kuno rira shiri dzani? Kune mhuka dzaani? Ndosiya marovambira ne shato dzedu nani?" said Cde Mugabe to a round of applause from the war veterans.
He said he would die in Zimbabwe as he was born here.
"Here I was born, here I grew up and here I will die and be buried," he declared.
Cde Mugabe, who is also the patron of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association, commended the ex-combatants for coming out in their thousands to show solidarity with him and their decision to endorse his candidature for next year’s elections. He vowed to continue supporting them and the ordinary people in their cause for a better way of life.
He said the war veterans’ commitment to the liberation struggle and preservation of the national heritage and humanity proved that they were true revolutionaries.
"Makaibva nehondo. You went through a grill of the revolution . . ." he said.
He urged them to remain united and disciplined.
"You are our revolutionaries, the carriers of the revolutionary torch. Let that torch never die but its flame must continue to shine," he said.
Cde Mugabe said that as Zanu-PF was preparing for campaigns, it was time to strategise and break the MDC strongholds in the urban areas.
He urged the war veterans to shun tribalism, saying the liberation struggle was fought for everyone.
Cde Mugabe said no matter how large or small a tribe was, Zimbabweans were the same people.
"If there are problems, let them be presented to the Government and we will address them. Resources may be inadequate, but the spirit to do justice to our people remains paramount," he said.
"Let’s go to the elections committed and sell our good policies to the people, explaining the inheritance of the liberation struggle.
"Leadership is only true leadership when it recognises that it is made by the people, and if it fails to realise the wishes of the people, it would be a mistaken leadership.
"Leadership should come from the people. People should see that you have the right leadership qualities to become their leader. Let people elect you because you have the potential," said Cde Mugabe.
He said he did not entertain gossip from some quarters vying for the Presidency.
Earlier on, war veterans’ association national chairman Cde Jabulani Sibanda said they had converged to convey their unwavering support to the President as the sole Zanu-PF candidate in the next year’s presidential election.
He said war veterans were satisfied by the President’s impeccable record as their leader.
"You have ably led this nation from the ashes of war, building a vibrant economy, united people and (pursued a) progressive foreign policy based on the principle of non-alignment and anti-imperialism," he said.
Cde Sibanda said the President had not allowed threats from the imperialist forces to deter him from the sacred task of giving land to the people despite the personal risks and dangers to him and his family.
"Notwithstanding the Western hegemonic tendencies, your wisdom has guided the nation into the now successful ‘Look East Policy’," he said.
COMMENT - ZIMTRADE chief executive officer Hebert Chakanyuka said the move was part of the government’s larger national export strategy and that his department was taking advantage of the popularity of Zimbabwean products on the Zambian market, especially processed foods.
Who said there is no regional market for regionally produced and manufactured goods?
I would much rather see Zambia see regional economic integration with all the countries surrounding it. That would do a lot to boost the national and local economies.
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=30822
ZIMTRADE to set up shop in Zambia
By Kingsley Kaswende in Harare
Thursday August 30, 2007 [04:00]
ZIMTRADE, the export promotion wing of the government of Zimbabwe, is working out logistics to set up a retail shop of exclusively Zimbabwean products in Zambia.
ZIMTRADE chief executive officer Hebert Chakanyuka said the move was part of the government’s larger national export strategy and that his department was taking advantage of the popularity of Zimbabwean products on the Zambian market, especially processed foods.
“We want to ensure that we enhance the effectiveness of our presence in the market to set up a shop which will have Zimbabwean products in order to assist some of the companies that don’t have the capacity to export, as well as existing players,” he said.
“We are looking at stocking up processed foods. We have an edge in the Zambian market. Traditionally, most of our products have been consumed in Zambia and we believe because of that knowledge which is there in the Zambian market we will get easy acceptability of our products.”
Chakanyuka said the development would also be a huge boost for Zimbabwean small and medium sized enterprises that have had no knowledge and capacity to export their quality products.
However, the retail shop is likely to be compromised by the shortage of commodities in the country but Chakanyuka said part of the solution to the current problems the country was facing was to strengthen the export sector.
Zimbabwe has experienced a dwindling export sector over the years and the local market has had shrinking disposable incomes.
“The shortage of products in the country will not compromise the campaign because this is a temporary situation where all key stakeholders are engaging each other to ensure that they resolve the current challenges.
We believe that because of the hyper-inflation in this country every company needs to export to ensure that the capacity is restored,” he said.
Chakanyuka said Zimbabwean products would have no problem competing with South African ones on the Zambian market because “they have stood on their own.”
He said Zimbabwean products had competed well in South Africa and there was no reason they could not in their traditional market.
“We have had our processed foods going to South Africa.
There are some Zimbabwean companies in South Africa and nothing can stop Zimbabwe competing in other markets like Zambia where we have enjoyed a fair share of the market,” he said.
Chakanyuka also disclosed that Zimbabwean companies that participated at the recent Lusaka Agricultural and Commercial Show managed to generate on-spot business worth US$300,000 while orders under negotiation were around US$2 million.
“That on its own is an indication that Zimbabwean products have a share on the Zambian market,” said Chakanyuka.
COMMENT - The CEO of Zambia Sugar is also the head of the Sugar Producers Association of Zambia? Hmm...
http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/press/news/viewnews.cgi?category=5&id=1117454730
‘Negotiate for better trade terms’
By CYNTHIA MWALE
SOUTHERN African Development Community (SADC) sugar producers have been urged to take seriously negotiations on economic partnership agreements (EPAs), if they are to protect the interest of the people. Minister for Commerce, Trade and Industry, Felix Mutati, said that if the EPAs process was not taken seriously it would have an adverse effect on the sugar industry.
“As experts, you need to adhere to the original objective of protecting the people. If we do not take this process seriously, SADC industry would be under threat,” he said.
Mr Mutati said this in Lusaka yesterday when he officiated at the Federation of SADC Sugar Producers (FSSP) conference on the European Union (EU) market access.
Mr Mutati said that the FSSP should be mindful as they deliberated to ensure there were no job losses and distortions.
He reiterated that sugar remained a key product in wealth and job-creation.
The minister noted that there was need to articulate issues on the principles of improved market access to the EU, duty free and quota free for the least developed countries.
“What will happen if we open up, our revenue will decline hence have greater access of the sugar industry,” he said.
Earlier, Sugar Producers Association of Zambia (SPAZ) chairman, Paul de Robillard, said the sugar industry in the country was growing steadily with the largest consumption of 40 per cent going to the SADC region.
The EU has 25 per cent share of the market with 22 per cent going into the Great Lakes Region.
About 150,000 metric tonnes was been consumed locally.
Mr De Robillard, who is also Zambia Sugar managing director, said over 8,000 people have been employed in the sugar industry.
He was giving an overview of the sugar industry, which consists of Zambia Sugar, Consolidated Farming Limited, producers of Kafue sugar, and Kalungwishi Sugar in Kasama.
Labels: THE HERALD, WAR VETERANS, ZIMBABWE
posted by MrK @ 4:49 PM
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