'Zim's reforms shouldn't be about getting Mugabe out'
By Bivan Saluseki in Harare, Zimbabwe
Wed 01 Aug. 2012, 10:40 CAT
ZIMBABWE'S constitutional law expert Prof Lovemore Madhuku says it is wrong for Zimbabwe's reform agenda to be set around getting President Robert Mugabe out of power. And one of Zimbabwe's political think-tanks, Dr Ibo Mandaza, says Zimbabwe is far from a worst case scenario in terms of adherence to democratic tenets.
During a roundtable discussion with representatives of selected influential SADC media in Harare on Monday, Prof Madhuku said President Mugabe was aware that the West, some media organisations and the opposition wanted him out of power as their reform agenda.
"Everything is about Mugabe getting out. And he does not want to get out. He knows people want him out. That has been the difficult part. Everything is about Mugabe getting out. It's not what society ultimately wants. And that is the biggest mistake," Prof Madhuku said.
He said there was need to look beyond President Mugabe and address issues that would ultimately put in a leadership people desire.
Prof Madhuku suggested that reforms should revolve around having a good constitution and devolving power from the presidency.
He said he gets irritated with the agenda of embassies such as the US where every discourse was about getting President Mugabe out of power.
"I get irritated. I don't think we can get anywhere with such kind of reform," he said.
Prof Madhuku said reform should be deep and genuinely engaging of all parties.
He said the opposition was playing a very irresponsible role of just 'saying help us get Mugabe out.'
Prof Madhuku said currently, the US wanted free and fair elections in Zimbabwe without looking at the contents of the constitution which to him was a dishonest approach.
He said currently, the draft constitution provided for more powers of the President but the US was not talking about it because they were just concentrating on removing Mugabe.
Prof Madhuku said there was need to change the international perception of Zimbabwe in the SADC region.
And Dr Mandaza said despite the economic problems, Zimbabwe was far from worst case scenario in terms of democracy.
He said problems in Zimbabwe were being highlighted because of the country's geopolitical position.
Dr Mandaza said Zimbabwe had one of the most informed societies and the resources including a resilient citizenry.
He, however, said party lines had become very blurred in Zimbabwe and the ultimate focus was to get President Mugabe out irrespective of where they were getting their support.
Dr Mandaza said if President Mugabe was out of the equation, it would be very difficult for the opposition to manage power amongst themselves.
"They have failed to assert the reform agenda," he said.
Dr Mandaza also said even ZANU PF was dying at the hands of President Mugabe.
"It's not the party of liberation anymore. The UNIP experience appears to be what awaits ZANU PF. Here, there will be a possible emergence of a new party of under 50s," said Dr Mandaza.
Participants noted that the narrative of Zimbabwe was one of the most intensely contested in the world.
Labels: CONSTITUTION, LOVEMORE MADHUKU, MUGABE
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President Mugabe's speech at Heroes' Acre
By: Our reporter
Posted: Monday, August 2, 2010 11:18 am
BELOW are extracts of President Mugabe's speech at the Heroes Acre on Sunday. He was speaking at the burial of his sister, national heroine Cde Sabina Mugabe who died of cancer last week.
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"Sanctions must go. We are still being treated as if we don't own this country.
"The inclusive delegation paid a visit to Europe and came back empty-handed. We are still treated as if we do not own the country. They say remove Mugabe first and then we relate with you. We cannot behave as if Europe and America owns Zimbabwe.
"To hell, hell, hell, hell, with them," he said to applause and ululation from the large crowd.
"Only Zimbabweans have the right to elect the country’s leadership.
"The progressive world continued to support Zimbabwe despite the Western hostility.
"The majority of people are in Asia and Africa. We are the majority in this world and we call ourselves the non-aligned. We have right on our side and the right is mighty.
"This is the fight we must continue to make, but let us make it in a united way . . . There should not be people doubting their strengths; doubting whether they own Zimbabwe or not . . .
"We are Zimbabweans and not Europeans, not Americans.
"Zimbabweans are peace-loving people who want good relations with other countries.
"Those who do not want to be friends with us, please keep away.
"We have this one country that must remain ours beyond our generation, ours forever. We have this one independence that must remain in our hands so we can pass it on to the caring hands of those to come — our children and grandchildren.
"We have natural resources which the good Lord gave us so we can survive, live and thrive on them, we of this land, before we pass them on to those to come after us.
"We are caretakers of this country, this one independence, these abundant resources, for generations to come. Shall we be good stewards who jealously guard this great and only such gift from God?
"Or shall we be the bad stewards who sleep on guard, allowing colonial thieves to break in and steal our national estate thus robbing generations to come.
"We carry this heavy burden which we must bear and deliver with dignity so those who come after us do not curse and spit on our graves.
"The country is now in our hands. It is ours and we hold on to it unperturbed by unsolicited advice from knowing outsiders whose record reveals ill-will against our people.
"They cannot be good to us today when they could not be good to us yesterday.
"They detained us, jailed us, shot at us, bombed us, and slaughtered us in our hundreds. We bore the brunt of their cruelties and shall never forget," he said.
The West wants Zimbabwe to remain perpetually in bondage.
"Their appetite grows with every feeding and will thus not be satiated. Their wish is that we remain landless forever, occupied as labourers until kingdom come.
"This is the meaning of their evil sanctions on us which they do not want to remove."
"Let us show the same sense of national purpose in fighting sanctions. They are real; they are hurting our people regardless of political affiliation.
"Europe and America want to keep those sanctions not for our benefit, but for their strategic interests here. We do not matter at all. This is why it is important that we speak with one voice," he said.
I am happy that all members of the inclusive Government were starting to appreciate the importance of resource ownership.
"Thank you Prime Minister Tsvangirai, Thank you Deputy Prime Minister Mutambara. It is the fate of our people, the fate of our children that must worry us (not) the fate of individuals who come and go.
"The child of an erstwhile colonial slave must now rise and become a landowner, miner, industrialist, banker, owner of this conglomerate Zimbabwe Limited.
"Otherwise what use is this independence which people like Sabina suffered for? Of what use would be a Zimbabwe which keeps its children on the margins, wallowing in poverty as before?" he asked.
"Zimbabwe’s diamonds must first and foremost benefit the nation as a whole and not just a few individuals.
"Madiamonds haasi anosungirwa kuiswa muhomwe nevanhuwo zvavo. Madiamonds enyika auya to add to our thrust of liberation. Those are the fruits we are reaping; the fruits of the struggle..
"Government will ensure the nation benefits from diamonds."
Labels: DIAMONDS, MUGABE, NEOCOLONIALISM, SPEECHES
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COMMENT - The United States or Great Britain have no business whatsoever in telling the Zimbabwean people who should lead them. Why don't they just come out in the open and admit that there are economic sanctions against Zimbabwe, and that they want their diamonds? At least that would be honest. Zimbabwe's diamonds are for the benefit of the people of Zimbabwe, and no one else.
To hell with the West: President Mugabe
By: Sources
Posted: Sunday, August 1, 2010 3:15 pm
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe vowed to fight against colonial rule and Western dominance in Africa.
He told those Europeans and American who were opposed to his rule to go "to hell" , while addressing thousands gathered at the National Heroes' Acre for the funeral of his sister, Sabina, whom he described as one of his closest friends and allies in his lifelong fight against white rule in Zimbabwe.
“To hell with them. Whoever told them that they are above the people of Zimbabwe, that the decisions that should be made by the people of Zimbabwe are theirs to make ?”
"We say to hell, hell, hell with them. They will not decide who is going to lead the people of Zimbabwe."
The president castigated the West and said after his sister's death Thursday he will not abandon the cause.
He added that the west sought his ouster by imposing illegal sanctions on the country.
the president said a "European-American clique" imposed sanctions for their own reasons.
"Europe and America want to keep these odious sanctions. They are now saying Mugabe must go first, and they choose someone to lead the country," he said.
U.S. Ambassador Charles Ray left the funeral during President Mugabe's address in apparent protest. He refused to comment on his action when asked by the media.
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DIAMONDS NOT FOR GREEDY POLITICIANS
President Mugabe also attacked the west for trying to "steal" Zimbabwe's resources saying that Zimbabweans should stand united against such machinations.
“We should not allow colonial thieves to take our resources. The country is now in our hands and we should hold on unperturbed by unsolicited advice by those who abused us in the past,” President Mugabe said.
He also attacked "greedy elements" in government who wanted to use diamonds for personal gain.
He said the country's diamonds should benefit the entire country and urged greedy politicians to blunt their appetite for individual wealth.
"Diamonds should not be pocketed by some individuals,"
"They should help to improve the whole country. Those with an appetite for individual aggrandisement, please blunt your appetite. We will ensure there is collective benefit and not individual benefit.
"Leaders must be people-oriented. It's the demands of the people that must be looked at and not those of our pockets."
The diamond watchdog Kimberley Process last month approved the export of rough diamonds from Marange diamond fields in eastern Zimbabwe.
President Mugabe reiterated that Zimbabwe was projected to contribute around 25 percent of the global diamond output so "there are huge prospects for the diamond sub-sector to emerge as a major driver of the country's economic turnaround".
Mining is Zimbabwe's main foreign currency earner.
Labels: DIAMONDS, MUGABE, NEOCOLONIALISM
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Zimbabwe seeks friends, not enemies: President Mugabe
By: TH-TZG reporters
Posted: Friday, July 23, 2010 7:41 am
PRESIDENT Mugabe says Zimbabweans are simple people who seek peace and friendship around the world, but does not understand why Britain, led by former Prime Minister Tony Blair, decided to internationalise a bilateral issue and seek sanctions against Zimbabwe.
"We seek friends, not enemies.
We have nothing against the British people but we were opposed to the Blair regime," President Mugabe told incoming French Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Francois Ponge.
The president said he hoped the new ambassador would help restore bilateral ties that have deteriorated since Nicolas Sarkozy took over the French presidency three years ago.
President Mugabe said relations had been more cordial when Jacques Chirac was still in office.
"I do not know whether President Sarkozy understands the history between us and Britain. He appears to have taken a plunge. We look forward to sanctions being lifted and it is good that you are here.
He added: "We are a simple people. We do not seek quarrels with anyone, but some people think they are better off quarrelling than making friends.
"We are a small country of about 13 million but we are proud of ourselves."
Presidential spokesperson Mr George Charamba said the President chronicled to Ambassador Ponge how relations between Zimbabwe and Britain soured after the Tony Blair regime in Britain reneged on an agreement to fund land reforms in Zimbabwe as per agreements at Lancaster House in 1979.
He also outlined how Blair proceeded to internationalise the issue after Zimbabwe embarked on the land reform exercise after British withdrawal.
President Mugabe also updated Ambassador Ponge on the progress made by the inclusive Government since its formation in February last year.
"We have worked very well despite our differences. We are all Zimbabweans with a common identity and we proceed along the same path to our common destiny," he said.
President Mugabe also enlightened the ambassador on the current constitution-making process.
Former French president Chirac often resisted British pressure to ostracise Zimbabwe and in 2003 defied the British manouvres and hosted President Mugabe at the France-Africa Summit.
Under Chirac, France was also understood to be opposed to European Union sanctions on Zimbabwe, but was bound by "common policy" positions.
Mr Ponge was among three ambassadors who presented their credentials to President Mugabe at State House yesterday.
The other new top diplomats who presented their credentials to President Mugabe yesterday were Pakistan’s Ambassador, Syed Zulfqar Ali Shah and Ambassador Eddy Poerwana of Indonesia.
Ambassador Shah said his meeting with President Mugabe went very well.
"We are really impressed by His Excellency’s leadership. Pakistan and Zimbabwe enjoy good relations in all fields," he said, pointing out the co-operation in trade, agriculture, education and military affairs.
Ambassador Poerwana said during his tenu-re here he would seek to boost trade, develop the small-scale enterprises and work for women’s empowerment.
"Indonesia and Zimbabwe are long-time friends. We talked a lot about how we can develop the already good relations," he said.
Labels: EDDY POERWANA, FRANCOIS PONGE, GEORGE CHARAMBA, MUGABE, SYED ZULFQAR ALI SHAH
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COMMENT - This is great news for Zimbabwe. It means that if all reports are correct, Zimbabwe's GDP could rocket from $4bn a year to $16bn a year. And in this case, GDP would mean something, because unlike in compliant countries, Zimbabwe's industry is still in Zimbabwean hands. Unlike in Zambia, where the government can't wait to sell parastatals to the Libyan government, Zimbabwe will benefit from it's own economy. It has taken blood, sweat and tears, the derision from the international community, slanderous and racist propaganda, thousands of deaths from cholera through criminal economic sanctions, but
Zimbabwe is victorious. Well done, President Mugabe.
Kimberley Process approves Zim diamond trade
By: Itayi Garande
Posted: Thursday, July 15, 2010 7:57 pm
ZIMBABWE has been given the greenlight by the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) to trade diamonds from Marange region days after President Mugabe announced that the country will trade with or without that approval.
The issue of exports from Marange, had divided the Kimberley community and the KPCS would have been rendered meaningless by the voluntary 'withdrawal' of Zimbabwe. Heterogeneity is a core and fundamental aspect of the Kimberley Process.
Four western countries of the KPCS (United States, Canada, Australia, the European Union) bowed under pressure from 71 members of KPCS, who supported Zimbabwe's approval after diamond monitor Abbey Chikane produced a report saying the country had satisfied minimum requirements required for approval.
The news was announced today (Thursday) at the 7th Annual Meeting of the World Diamond Council in St. Petersburg, Russia.
"I want to assure everyone that Zimbabwe means business," said mining minister Obert Mpofu from the Russian city.
"We will adhere, we will comply. We will not let you down."
In an interview with the Zimbabwe Guardian on Thursday, Minister Mpofu said Zimbabwe would have gone ahead with trading its diamonds as "it had met the minimum requirements".
"Mr Abbey Chikane approved produced a favourable report and was appointed by the KP. That was enough for us to start exporting our diamonds.
“We expected the best out of the Kimberley Process and they have delivered,” Minister Mpofu said.
“We were always hopeful that we would get the greenlight as we have no blood diamonds in Zimbabwe.”
An estimated $1.7 billion plus worth of diamonds mined from Chiadzwa is currently stockpiled. These will be released as early as next week, according the mines minister.
The stockpile of diamonds mined from Chiadzwa rose to six million carats, up from 4,5 million carats in May this year.
Marange exports had been blocked since last November, after a KP monitoring mission alleged issues of non-compliance and human rights violations.
The Government of Zimbabwe had express concern at the KPCS's position and charged that the Anglo-Saxon world, led by the US, did not want Zimbabwe to export its diamonds because they knew that earnings from the sales would wreck their illegal sanctions.
Zimbabwe's diamond production could match or even surpass the 18 million carats produced annually by Botswana, presently the world’s biggest producer.
In May, KP monitor Abbey Chikane said exports should resume, but the United States, Canada, Australia, the European Union and a coalition of KPCS civic groups blocked an export resumption and disputed the monitor's report.
The four countries also wanted a redefinition of the concept of "blood diamonds" to include Zimbabwe; although the country does not have an illegitimate government and there are no rebel groups in the country.
The agreement was reached after two days of often heated negotiations, which broke down several times. One hour prior to the agreement, some negotiators believed a deal was dead. But now the mood among WDC attendees is jubilant, as many feared Zimbabwe would leave the KP and render it meaningless.
While exports will resume, the plan calls for several review missions to visit the region, and assess compliance with a work plan formulated last year.
Labels: DIAMONDS, KIMBERLEY PROCESS, MUGABE, NEOCOLONIALISM
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Fight intellectually, not physically: President Mugabe
Posted: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 4:40 am
President Robert Mugabe (C) inspects the guard of honour during the opening ceremony of the third session of the parliament in Harare on July 13, 2010 where he pledged to improve ties with the international community and urged Zimbabweans to remain united
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has urged Zimbabweans to engage in a battle of ideas and engage in intellectual fights, rather than physical fights.
Speaking at a luncheon hosted by Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo after the official opening of the Third Session of the Seventh Parliament on Tuesday, President Mugabe said the inclusive Government would work for permanent peace and stability in Zimbabwe despite efforts by the country’s detractors to foster disharmony.
"We shall not rest until there is permanent peace and permanent calm in the country. One hopes that we all have learnt a lesson; a lesson that when elections are fought they are not meant to produce violent, physical fights.
"It’s a fight of ideas, an intellectual fight," he said.
The president added that even western countries that have imposed illegal sanctions on the country are even shocked by the spirit of togetherness shown by Zimbabweans and the spirit of brotherhood (sisterhood) in the inclusive Government:
"Even our detractors who have all wished the worst on us cannot believe it.
"When they saw us address the business forum in Tanzania they said we are pretending. We do not pretend! We are one, we are from the soil and that is where we belong.
President Mugabe said we are all Zimbabweans and our struggles and aspirations should be the same. He added that we should be able to admit when things go wrong and learn to accommodate each other.
"That is what should drive us; that we belong to the soil, that there is no individual in the country who is more Zimbabwean than the other one. It takes real men of great rationality and morality to do a post-mortem such as we did and say ‘let us admit things went wrong’.
"Our brothers (Sadc) helped us by creating a forum to enable us to think and produce an agreement. They did not think for us, no, we thought it out ourselves."
Government, he said, remained committed to providing basic infrastructure and increasing economic productivity for the benefit of all citizens.
"We want to see the situation improve in terms of the welfare of our people and for the worker," he said.
President Mugabe said foreign investors were welcome in Zimbabwe, but on terms determined by locals and should never be allowed to determine our destiny.
He said foreigners should not stand in the way of our development, but help us develop as we would do the same.
"We want money that is freely invested by friends, partners who would want us to see us all derive benefit from the transformation of our economy," he said.
He urged civil servants to be patient while the Government mobilised resources to improve working conditions.
Vice Presidents Joice Mujuru and John Nkomo, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, and DPMs Arthur Mutambara and Thokozani Khupe attended the luncheon in a show of unity that is now characteristic of the inclusive Government.
Senior Government officials and members of the diplomatic community were also in attendance.
GIANT SCREENS
Meanwhile, scores of people for the first time viewed parliamentary proceedings from a giant screen in Africa Unity Square.
Over a thousand people gathered to watch President Mugabe deliver his opening speech.
Business in central Harare also came to a standstill as Zimbabweans lined up the streets to catch a glimpse of the colourful procession preceding the opening of Parliament.
Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS, MUGABE
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Mugabe vows to sell Chiadzwa diamonds
by Staff Reporter
13/07/2010 00:00:00
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe on Tuesday said there must be no doubt of Zimbabwe’s resolve to sell its diamonds “for the benefit of our people”, as the Kimberley Process met in St Petersburg, Russia, to discuss lifting a ban on gems from Chiadzwa, eastern Zimbabwe.
Opening Parliament, Mugabe declared the disputed Chiadzwa diamond fields in Marange district could supply 25 percent of the world's diamond demand and drive up the country’s economic recovery.
“Those ill-disposed to us have not given up on the use of absurd conditionalities and other dilatory tactics to block the sale of our diamonds. Let there be no doubt about our resolve to sell out diamonds for the benefit of our people,” Mugabe said.
The Kimberley Process, a global watchdog on trade in diamonds used to fuel conflict, has been divided over whether to lift a ban on Chiadzwa gems following a military operation to drive out 35,000 illegal miners in 2008. Rights groups claim 200 people were killed in the operation.
A KP monitor last month reported that Zimbabwe had met minimum conditions for the lifting of the ban. But at a meeting in Israel,the United States , Canada and Australia blocked the ban’s lifting – out of the 75 countries who are members of the KP which operates on consensus.
There were signs on Monday that diamond manufacturers are growingly impatient with delays in clearing Chiadzwa diamonds for export. The president of the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) questioned the sincerity of Britain, America and Australia’s objections.
“Do the governments of the United States, Canada and Australia want to provide an opportunity for thousands of miners in Zimbabwe to make a legitimate living or do they want the illegal mining to continue?” Moti Ganz asked as he spoke at the World Diamond Congress which started Monday in St Petersburg.
He added: “We must move quickly to include Zimbabwe’s rough diamonds in the legitimate diamond pipeline because they are legitimate. We also need to do this to better the lives of people in Zimbabwe.”
Mugabe told MPs on Tuesday: “There are huge prospects for the diamond sector to emerge as the major driver of economic turnaround for the country still struggling to emerge from economic collapse in 2008.”
Finance Minister Tendai Biti says he will not propose a supplementary budget when he presents his Mid-Term Fiscal Policy Review Statement on Wednesday, saying the future now hinges on the sale of diamonds from Chiadzwa.
Biti said revenue collections and donor support had fallen far short of expectations.
The 2010 national budget anticipated revenues of US$1,4 billion and donor support of US$810 million.
"The Kimberley Process must allow us to sell our diamonds ... It would be very unfortunate if the KP does not allow us to sell the diamonds because they will be punishing the people of Zimbabwe. We can't pay for electricity, we can't pay for civil servants and yet we are sitting on one of the finest find of alluvial diamonds in the history of mankind,” Biti said.
Labels: CHIADZWA, DIAMONDS, KIMBERLEY PROCESS, MUGABE
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President's Speech at Opening of Parliament
By: President Robert Mugabe
Posted: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 2:43 am
President's Speech at Opening of Parliament | President Mugabe, Zimbabwe parliament
People watch on a big screen President Robert Mugabe attending the official opening of the Third Session of the Seventh Parliament of Zimbabwe outside Parliament Building in Harare July 13, 2010. Reuters
BELOW is the full text of the Address by His Excellency The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Robert Gabriel Mugabe, on the occasion of the official opening of the 3rd Session of the 7th Parliament of Zimbabwe in Harare presented on Tuesday 14 July 2010.
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Madame President of the Senate,
Mr Speaker, Sir,
Honourable Members of Parliament, I welcome you all to this Third Session of the Seventh Parliament of Zimbabwe. Consonant with our people’s wishes and with help from our Sadc friends, we formed the Inclusive Government in February last year. More than a year on, our unity and determination as a nation has seen us come this far, even if still severely challenged by the persistent actions of our detractors.
Madame President, Mr Speaker Sir, Article VI of the Global Political Agreement underscores the right and duty of Zimbabweans as a sovereign people to make a constitution for themselves through a people-driven process. We are now at the critical stage where outreach teams are traversing our country, collecting the people’s views for inclusion in the new Constitution. It is, indeed, important that the Outreach Programme ensures that we emerge with a Constitution, which is genuinely Zimbabwean in letter and spirit.
Pursuant to the terms of the Global Political Agreement, I am pleased to note that significant progress has now been made in establishing the four Independent Commissions provided for in our constitution. In fact, the Commissions are now fully functional. As part of this undertaking, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Bill, the Electoral Amendment Bill and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Amendment Bill, will be brought for the House’s consideration during this Session. The Referendums Amendment Act shall also be amended to render it consistent with the other constitutional and electoral changes.
Article continues below
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, Through the implementation of the Short Term Emergency Recovery Programme (STERP), Government has succeeded in bringing about a modicum of stability to the economy after a decade of decline caused by the illegal and hateful sanctions imposed by Britain and its allies. Notable strides in improving economic performance include the revival of capacity utilisation in our industries; containment of incessant price increases for goods and services; improvement in service delivery in health and education; rehabilitation of basic infrastructure such as roads, water and sanitation facilities, as well as the normalisation of relations with key international financial institutions.
With regard to capacity utilisation, industries whose work rate had declined to below 10 percent rose to around 45 percent, taking advantage of the new investment opportunities and the prevailing stable macro-economic environment. As a result, the economy grew by 5,7 percent last year, benefiting from a 14,9 percent growth in agriculture, 8,5 percent growth in mining, 10,2 percent in manufacturing, and 6,5 percent in tourism.
Government will continue to prioritise the need to galvanise the economic growth momentum to achieve a 5,4 percent growth by the end of this year, and go beyond that in 2011, under a stable macro economic environment with single digit inflation. This exacting goal will inevitably require improved efforts in mobilising capital for industry, support to agriculture and other productive sectors, and enhanced efficiency of strategic public utilities, particularly, in the power and water sectors.
Government continues to re-engage the international financial institutions over the country’s debt, with a view to reaching some agreement so as to unlock new financing. The current nascent recovery of the economy and the existing limited fiscal space demand that action be taken to reinvigorate the economic recovery process.
The Minister of Finance, in the 2010 Mid Year Fiscal Policy Review scheduled for presentation in this august House this week, will no doubt outline specific interventions in this regard. This whole thrust will be further amplified and accelerated through the Medium Term Plan, also to be launched during the life of this Session of Parliament.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, Emphasis has shifted from reliance on aid as a critical factor for economic development to investment, both domestic and foreign. The heightened mobility and intense competition for capital resources underlines the need to work assiduously to enhance the country’s appeal as an investment destination. As part of this effort, Government is currently processing Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements with several countries. Agreements with Iran, India, Kuwait, Botswana, Singapore and the OPEC Fund will be brought to Parliament for ratification during this Session.
The Zimbabwe Income Tax Act shall be amended during this Session, in order to align it with regional and international best practices as well as to ensure compatibility with the fundamental tax principles of simplicity, equity and consistency. The Deposit Protection Bill, which seeks to transform the Deposit Protection Scheme presently enacted as a Statutory Instrument under the Banking Act, into an independent statutory entity, shall also be tabled before this Parliament.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, To ensure that agriculture plays its role of guaranteeing food security and anchoring our agro-based economy, priority will be accorded to increasing the sector’s productivity through timeous and adequate provision of inputs, equipment and skills training programmes. With planning for the 2010/2011-summer season already underway, it should be possible to overcome the state of ill preparedness that seemed to always hound us in the recent past.
Given that the phenomenon of global warming is now a potent reality, as evidenced by more frequent droughts and shifts in weather patterns in our part of the globe, it is imperative that we expand our irrigation capacity as a caution against the increased climatic risk.
In this regard, government is working on an irrigation master plan, in terms of which two million hectares are projected to be put under irrigation over the coming 10 to 20 years. Already, 300 hectares of communal irrigation schemes have been earmarked for development in 2010, with financing from the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) and the European Union.
In addition, 78 non-functional communal irrigation schemes will be resuscitated. Furthermore, Government in partnership with the private sector and co-operating partners is developing a National Smallholder Farmer Support Programme, aimed at boosting household food security through the provision of inputs to communal, old resettlement and small scale farmers. Promotion of conservation agriculture is also going to be intensified, to enable farmers to make savings on draught power requirements and minimise land degradation.
The development of the livestock sector is of critical importance as a source of beef and dairy products for both domestic and export markets. Key in realising this objective is enhanced animal disease control, which guarantees good animal health. Efforts to avail more resources for national vaccination and control of contagious diseases will be intensified. More importantly, Government will continue to strengthen the marketing framework for agricultural products, in order to effectively reward farmers for their efforts.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, The mining sector continues to rise in importance as a growth node in the country’s economic revival. This year, the sector is expected to record double-digit growth of more than 20 percent, as a result of firming mineral prices, increased investment and stable macro-economic environment. The Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, which was first presented to Parliament in 2007, shall be tabled once again, for consideration in this august House during this Session.
The Bill will seek to discourage speculation, facilitate investment in the mining sector by both local and foreign investors, as well as ensure that the country derives maximum benefits from its vast array of minerals. The Zimbabwe Exploration Corporation Bill, which provides for the establishment of the Zimbabwe Exploration Corporation, shall also be brought before this House during this Session. Through the Zimbabwe Exploration Corporation, Government will be more actively involved in mineral exploration and thereby be in a position to determine the types and quantum of the country’s existing mineral resources. With Zimbabwe now projected to contribute around 25 percent of the global diamond output, there are huge prospects for the diamond sub-sector to emerge as a major driver of the country’s economic turnaround. Local benefaction of diamonds shall be encouraged through mechanisms that will require producers to set aside 10 percent of their production for local cutting, polishing and jewellery manufacturing.
The Kimberly Process Monitor’s report declared the country as having fulfilled the Kimberly Process’ minimum requirements, as per the Joint Work Plan agreed to in Swakopmund, Namibia. The same Report indicated that the country should be allowed to proceed with the immediate exportation of its diamonds. However, those ill disposed to us have not given up on the use of absurd conditionalities and other dilatory tactics in a bid to block the sale of our diamonds. Let there be no doubt whatsoever about our resolve to sell our diamonds for the benefit of our country and her people.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, As part of efforts to revive the manufacturing sector, a new Industrial Development Policy to be implemented from 2011 to 2015, shall be launched before the end of this year. The Policy will address the issues of skills shortages, availability of adequate lines of credit for working capital, recapitalisation, capacity utilisation, cost and availability of utility services, as well as the issues of tariff and non-tariff barriers.
The policy will be anchored on principles of global best practices, such as investment protection, local empowerment, policy consistency, value addition and development of integrated value chains. Government is also reviewing the 1994 Trade Policy, with a view to improving market access for goods and services, promote competitiveness of local exports on the global market as well as expand and diversify trade within existing and new markets.
The National Incomes and Pricing Bill, which seeks to effect the removal of price controls in line with pronouncements made in the 2009 Budget Statement, shall similarly be presented for consideration during this Session.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, Persistent erratic power supply remains a potent threat to the successful turnaround of the economy. However, Government is working on initiatives, which would see a gradual easing of the situation. These include measures to boost internal power generation through the ongoing rehabilitation of Hwange Power Station, where five out of six units are expected to become operational by end of this year. The Bulawayo Thermal Power Station will also be soon resuscitated. Investors will be invited to participate in power projects as independent power producers or under other suitable public private partnership arrangements. Use of renewable energy sources such as solar, biofuels and ethanol blending shall also be promoted. These measures will need to be complemented by implementing demand side management measures and the promotion of efficient use of energy.
The installation of prepayment metres, already underway, should help improve Zesa’s efficiency in billing and revenue collection. The Energy Regulatory Bill, which seeks to establish an Energy Regulatory Authority, that will regulate the energy supply industry, will be brought to Parliament during this Session.
Madame President, Mr Speaker Sir, The carnage we continue to witness on our roads underlines the need to expedite the upgrading of our road infrastructure. This is a mammoth task which Government alone cannot undertake. Accordingly, Government is working on arrangements to enlist private sector participation in the dualisation of our major highways. Our drivers should be made to exhibit a greater sense of respect for the sanctity of human life by driving with due care and attention on our narrow roads.
To ensure effective maintenance of transport infrastructure and easing of congestion at the ports of entry, the Zimbabwe Border Post Authority Bill, which provides for the establishment of an authority to carry out this responsibility, will be tabled during this Session. Furthermore, the Civil Aviation (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to provide for the separation of regulatory functions from airport operation functions by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, will also be brought to this august House.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, The small and medium enterprises sector has proved to be the most enduring business sphere, while also being the seedbed of entrepreneurship the world over. To ensure that an enabling environment exists for the sustainable development and growth of the local sector, a Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Bill shall be brought for consideration by Parliament during this Session.
Government, through the relevant Ministry is in the process of upgrading Savings and Credit Clubs into registered co-operatives. Several of the registered co-operatives have already done a commendable job by way of providing housing to their members. Government has since gazetted the amended Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Regulations, which incorporate the concerns and suggestions by various stakeholders. The amended Regulations provide for employee and community share ownership schemes, among other in-built features that guarantee broadbased empowerment.
The establishment of sectoral committees comprising representatives from Government and Industry will ensure that the implementation process remains mutually consultative and sensitive to sector specific considerations.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, It is regrettable that, owing to unavailability of capital, very little development took place in the housing sector over the last decade. However, it is expected that the situation will change for the better, following the establishment of a National Housing Development Loan Facility, under which UD$10 million has already been disbursed towards the provision of housing.
In addition, US$1 million has been released to the Housing and Guarantee Fund for purposes of guaranteeing mortgage advances for low cost housing by building societies and finance institutions. This, of course, is far from being adequate, considering the existing huge housing backlog. I, therefore, urge building societies, financial institutions and the general corporate sector to quickly move in and complement Government programmes.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, The water sector is a critical enabler in any economy. As such, Government will continue to channel available resources towards the rehabilitation and upgrading of urban and rural water supplies and sanitation services. In this regard, centres such as Beitbridge, Gweru, Kadoma and Mhangura will be accorded immediate attention. Resources will also be marshalled towards the completion of ongoing dam and allied projects construction.
As a response to the persistent problem of environmental degradation, the Environmental Management Act shall be amended to provide for more deterrent penalties against offenders. The amendments will also provide for the establishment of an Environmental Standards Enforcement Committee and Environmental Committees in urban local authorities.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, In order to accelerate the development of the local tourism sector, Zimbabwe has been designated as a Tourism Development Zone through Statutory Instruments 46 and 60 of 2009. This provides for the offer of a rebate of duty to operators registered with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority with respect to acquisition of new equipment, modernisation of facilities and goods imported exclusively for the tourism industry.
In a move that will certainly improve its efficiency, the Immigration Department has now computerised its operations at the Harare International Airport, Victoria Falls Airport, Kazungula and Beitbridge ports of entry. The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, in partnership with Afrosoft, a software developer, has launched a mobile gateway, which will enable tourists to access critical information on the local tourism industry using mobile phones.
Madame President, Mr Speaker Sir, Effective development and application of communication technologies (ICTs) is a sine qua non of economic competitiveness in this era of the knowledge-driven economy. In pursuance of this goal, Government, through the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, has come up with a national ICT Strategic Plan. Consultations on the legislative framework to underpin development of this sector are underway. The overarching goal is to turn Zimbabwe into a knowledge-driven society and an ICT hub in the region. As we move towards increased regional integration, it is expedient that we work on harmonising the examination and quality assurance systems in the country with those in Sadc and beyond.
In so doing, we guarantee the relevance and competitiveness of Zimbabwean qualifications and labour force in the global arena. Accordingly, the Zimbabwe Examinations and Qualifications Authority Bill and the School Examinations Council Amendment Bill will be brought to the house for consideration during this Session. The Indigenous Languages Bill, providing for the preservation and promotion of indigenous languages, will also be tabled before this august House.
To alleviate the plight of less privileged students, Government, with assistance from UNICEF, has expanded the scope of the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) facility to cover both tuition and examination fees to cater for needy secondary school pupils. Needy students in tertiary institutions of learning will continue to receive assistance under the Government Cadetship Programme.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, Mindful that health is a fundamental human right, Government has over the years sought to achieve universal access to high quality health for all. However, the attainment of this grand objective has been retarded by the challenges largely emanating from the economic difficulties experienced by the country in recent years.
In an effort to trigger increased flows of resources into the health sector and in consultation with the donor community, Government has come up with a National Health Sector Strategy (2009-2013) and the Health Sector Investment Case document, the latter outlining priority areas of investment in the sector. Ongoing works to refurbish and equip central and provincial hospitals will continue. The Medical Aid Societies Bill, which will provide for the registration and regulation of medical aid societies, will be tabled in this House. I wish to express profound personal appreciation to all who have assisted us through the donor supported staff retention scheme for the health sector. The support has greatly stabilised the staff situation in the sector.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, The Attorney General’s Office Bill shall be introduced in Parliament during this Session. The Bill will take Law Officers out of the Public Service and provide for functions and powers of the Attorney General’s Office Board. The Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill, which aims to incorporate into the Code the suggestions by members of the public, shall be brought for consideration. Furthermore, a Media Practitioner’s Bill, which will repeal the part of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act which deals with the registration of journalists and privacy issues, will also be tabled during this Session.
In line with the Sadc decision to ensure our region migrates from analogue to digital platforms by 2013, Government will mobilise resources to ensure Zimbabwe becomes digitally compliant before then. Equally, platforms for rural information should get a boost from the redeployment of equipment sourced for the just-ended 2010 World Cup.
Our civil servants, and indeed the bulk of the general workforce, continue to bear the brunt of the economic hardships, as they have to make do with limited incomes in the face of high service charges.
I wish, once again, to thank them for continuing to exhibit great fortitude and resilience under these very difficult circumstances. I also wish to assure civil servants that Government, as their employer, has not reneged on its commitment to ensure future improvement of their conditions of service. Efforts in that direction are continuing in earnest, with the desire to ameliorate their situation as soon as it is practically possible. Addressing the issues of excessive public utility bills, and salary levels, to ensure that they too are aligned to the capacity of the economy, will also be necessary. On a general note, I wish to appeal to our corporate sector to work towards saving jobs by embarking on alternative cost cutting measures instead of resorting to labour layoffs at the first instance.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, Following ratification of the Sadc Protocol on Gender and Development in October 2009, focus is now on implementing the provisions of the protocol, notably the call for equal gender representation in politics and other levels of decision making. Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, is in the process of coming up with a Women’s Council Bill.
The Bill to be presented to this Parliament will facilitate the establishment of a Women’s Council to co-ordinate implementation of women’s empowerment programmes in the country. Government has also set up a Women’s Development Fund, which will provide loans to women without the need for collateral security. The Fund was allocated US$1 million under the current Budget, which is to be managed through the Post Office Savings Bank.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, The nation continues to enjoy peace and tranquillity, which is a critical ingredient for sustainable socio-economic development. We, therefore, wish to pay tribute to our defence and security forces for continuing to fulfil their constitutional obligation of safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
To effectively discharge their mandate, the police naturally depend on the support and co-operation of other stakeholders, including the general public. It is in this regard that I wish to applaud the recently established partnership between Business and the Police to fight white collar crime. The Trafficking in Persons Bill, which will criminalise human trafficking in accordance with the Palermo Protocol to the Anti-Organised Crime Convention, will be introduced in this august House during this Session.
On the diplomatic front, we shall seek to deepen our co-operation with all the members of the international community. The International Agreements Bill, which aims to rationalise the system of ratifying, publishing and domesticating international agreements, shall be tabled in this Parliament. It is also our fervent hope that the resumed dialogue with the European Union will yield a positive result.
On the whole, the turnaround of our economy, empowerment of our people as well as the promotion of social justice and peaceful co-existence will continue to define our engagement with the world community of nations.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, Lasting unity can only thrive in an atmosphere of open and brotherly dialogue, trust, and mutual tolerance. The Organ for National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration is spearheading this process.
In pursuance of its mandate, the organ will engage political parties, civil society, traditional leaders, churches and other related experts, in an effort to promote national healing, reconciliation and cohesion.
The unity and sense of optimism prevailing in the country under the banner of the Inclusive Government is for all of us as Zimbabweans to cherish and jealously guard. We should continue to be prompted by the sense of confidence in ourselves and a resilient faith in our national heritage. We have to remain rooted in the reality that we are the sole guarantors of our independence and economic emancipation.
This should therefore bid us to exert our collective will, intellect, and energies to the utmost in pursuit of our shared vision of a strong, democratic and prosperous truly independent Zimbabwe.
May we each play our part in fostering national healing, cohesion, unity and integration, in order to guarantee sustainable economic and social transformation of our nation.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, Allow me to now commend these matters for your consideration and declare this, the Third Session of the Seventh Parliament of the Republic of Zimbabwe, duly open.
I thank you.
Labels: MUGABE, SPEECHES
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Full text of President’s address
WE publish here a full text of the Address by His Excellency The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Comrade R G Mugabe, on the occasion of the official opening of the 3rd Session of the 7th Parliament of Zimbabwe in Harare yesterday.
Madame President of the Senate,
Mr Speaker, Sir,
Honourable Members of Parliament, I welcome you all to this Third Session of the Seventh Parliament of Zimbabwe. Consonant with our people’s wishes and with help from our Sadc friends, we formed the Inclusive Government in February last year. More than a year on, our unity and determination as a nation has seen us come this far, even if still severely challenged by the persistent actions of our detractors.
Madame President, Mr Speaker Sir, Article VI of the Global Political Agreement underscores the right and duty of Zimbabweans as a sovereign people to make a constitution for themselves through a people-driven process. We are now at the critical stage where outreach teams are traversing our country, collecting the people’s views for inclusion in the new Constitution. It is, indeed, important that the Outreach Programme ensures that we emerge with a Constitution, which is genuinely Zimbabwean in letter and spirit.
Pursuant to the terms of the Global Political Agreement, I am pleased to note that significant progress has now been made in establishing the four Independent Commissions provided for in our constitution. In fact, the Commissions are now fully functional. As part of this undertaking, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Bill, the Electoral Amendment Bill and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Amendment Bill, will be brought for the House’s consideration during this Session. The Referendums Amendment Act shall also be amended to render it consistent with the other constitutional and electoral changes.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, Through the implementation of the Short Term Emergency Recovery Programme (STERP), Government has succeeded in bringing about a modicum of stability to the economy after a decade of decline caused by the illegal and hateful sanctions imposed by Britain and its allies. Notable strides in improving economic performance include the revival of capacity utilisation in our industries; containment of incessant price increases for goods and services; improvement in service delivery in health and education; rehabilitation of basic infrastructure such as roads, water and sanitation facilities, as well as the normalisation of relations with key international financial institutions.
With regard to capacity utilisation, industries whose work rate had declined to below 10 percent rose to around 45 percent, taking advantage of the new investment opportunities and the prevailing stable macro-economic environment. As a result, the economy grew by 5,7 percent last year, benefiting from a 14,9 percent growth in agriculture, 8,5 percent growth in mining, 10,2 percent in manufacturing, and 6,5 percent in tourism.
Government will continue to prioritise the need to galvanise the economic growth momentum to achieve a 5,4 percent growth by the end of this year, and go beyond that in 2011, under a stable macro economic environment with single digit inflation. This exacting goal will inevitably require improved efforts in mobilising capital for industry, support to agriculture and other productive sectors, and enhanced efficiency of strategic public utilities, particularly, in the power and water sectors.
Government continues to re-engage the international financial institutions over the country’s debt, with a view to reaching some agreement so as to unlock new financing. The current nascent recovery of the economy and the existing limited fiscal space demand that action be taken to reinvigorate the economic recovery process.
The Minister of Finance, in the 2010 Mid Year Fiscal Policy Review scheduled for presentation in this august House this week, will no doubt outline specific interventions in this regard. This whole thrust will be further amplified and accelerated through the Medium Term Plan, also to be launched during the life of this Session of Parliament.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, Emphasis has shifted from reliance on aid as a critical factor for economic development to investment, both domestic and foreign. The heightened mobility and intense competition for capital resources underlines the need to work assiduously to enhance the country’s appeal as an investment destination. As part of this effort, Government is currently processing Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements with several countries. Agreements with Iran, India, Kuwait, Botswana, Singapore and the OPEC Fund will be brought to Parliament for ratification during this Session.
The Zimbabwe Income Tax Act shall be amended during this Session, in order to align it with regional and international best practices as well as to ensure compatibility with the fundamental tax principles of simplicity, equity and consistency. The Deposit Protection Bill, which seeks to transform the Deposit Protection Scheme presently enacted as a Statutory Instrument under the Banking Act, into an independent statutory entity, shall also be tabled before this Parliament.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, To ensure that agriculture plays its role of guaranteeing food security and anchoring our agro-based economy, priority will be accorded to increasing the sector’s productivity through timeous and adequate provision of inputs, equipment and skills training programmes. With planning for the 2010/2011-summer season already underway, it should be possible to overcome the state of ill preparedness that seemed to always hound us in the recent past.
Given that the phenomenon of global warming is now a potent reality, as evidenced by more frequent droughts and shifts in weather patterns in our part of the globe, it is imperative that we expand our irrigation capacity as a caution against the increased climatic risk.
In this regard, government is working on an irrigation master plan, in terms of which two million hectares are projected to be put under irrigation over the coming 10 to 20 years. Already, 300 hectares of communal irrigation schemes have been earmarked for development in 2010, with financing from the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) and the European Union.
In addition, 78 non-functional communal irrigation schemes will be resuscitated. Furthermore, Government in partnership with the private sector and co-operating partners is developing a National Smallholder Farmer Support Programme, aimed at boosting household food security through the provision of inputs to communal, old resettlement and small scale farmers. Promotion of conservation agriculture is also going to be intensified, to enable farmers to make savings on draught power requirements and minimise land degradation.
The development of the livestock sector is of critical importance as a source of beef and dairy products for both domestic and export markets. Key in realising this objective is enhanced animal disease control, which guarantees good animal health. Efforts to avail more resources for national vaccination and control of contagious diseases will be intensified. More importantly, Government will continue to strengthen the marketing framework for agricultural products, in order to effectively reward farmers for their efforts.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, The mining sector continues to rise in importance as a growth node in the country’s economic revival. This year, the sector is expected to record double-digit growth of more than 20 percent, as a result of firming mineral prices, increased investment and stable macro-economic environment. The Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, which was first presented to Parliament in 2007, shall be tabled once again, for consideration in this august House during this Session.
The Bill will seek to discourage speculation, facilitate investment in the mining sector by both local and foreign investors, as well as ensure that the country derives maximum benefits from its vast array of minerals. The Zimbabwe Exploration Corporation Bill, which provides for the establishment of the Zimbabwe Exploration Corporation, shall also be brought before this House during this Session. Through the Zimbabwe Exploration Corporation, Government will be more actively involved in mineral exploration and thereby be in a position to determine the types and quantum of the country’s existing mineral resources. With Zimbabwe now projected to contribute around 25 percent of the global diamond output, there are huge prospects for the diamond sub-sector to emerge as a major driver of the country’s economic turnaround. Local benefaction of diamonds shall be encouraged through mechanisms that will require producers to set aside 10 percent of their production for local cutting, polishing and jewellery manufacturing.
The Kimberly Process Monitor’s report declared the country as having fulfilled the Kimberly Process’ minimum requirements, as per the Joint Work Plan agreed to in Swakopmund, Namibia. The same Report indicated that the country should be allowed to proceed with the immediate exportation of its diamonds. However, those ill disposed to us have not given up on the use of absurd conditionalities and other dilatory tactics in a bid to block the sale of our diamonds. Let there be no doubt whatsoever about our resolve to sell our diamonds for the benefit of our country and her people.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, As part of efforts to revive the manufacturing sector, a new Industrial Development Policy to be implemented from 2011 to 2015, shall be launched before the end of this year. The Policy will address the issues of skills shortages, availability of adequate lines of credit for working capital, recapitalisation, capacity utilisation, cost and availability of utility services, as well as the issues of tariff and non-tariff barriers.
The policy will be anchored on principles of global best practices, such as investment protection, local empowerment, policy consistency, value addition and development of integrated value chains. Government is also reviewing the 1994 Trade Policy, with a view to improving market access for goods and services, promote competitiveness of local exports on the global market as well as expand and diversify trade within existing and new markets.
The National Incomes and Pricing Bill, which seeks to effect the removal of price controls in line with pronouncements made in the 2009 Budget Statement, shall similarly be presented for consideration during this Session.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, Persistent erratic power supply remains a potent threat to the successful turnaround of the economy. However, Government is working on initiatives, which would see a gradual easing of the situation. These include measures to boost internal power generation through the ongoing rehabilitation of Hwange Power Station, where five out of six units are expected to become operational by end of this year. The Bulawayo Thermal Power Station will also be soon resuscitated. Investors will be invited to participate in power projects as independent power producers or under other suitable public private partnership arrangements. Use of renewable energy sources such as solar, biofuels and ethanol blending shall also be promoted. These measures will need to be complemented by implementing demand side management measures and the promotion of efficient use of energy.
The installation of prepayment metres, already underway, should help improve Zesa’s efficiency in billing and revenue collection. The Energy Regulatory Bill, which seeks to establish an Energy Regulatory Authority, that will regulate the energy supply industry, will be brought to Parliament during this Session.
Madame President, Mr Speaker Sir, The carnage we continue to witness on our roads underlines the need to expedite the upgrading of our road infrastructure. This is a mammoth task which Government alone cannot undertake. Accordingly, Government is working on arrangements to enlist private sector participation in the dualisation of our major highways. Our drivers should be made to exhibit a greater sense of respect for the sanctity of human life by driving with due care and attention on our narrow roads.
To ensure effective maintenance of transport infrastructure and easing of congestion at the ports of entry, the Zimbabwe Border Post Authority Bill, which provides for the establishment of an authority to carry out this responsibility, will be tabled during this Session. Furthermore, the Civil Aviation (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to provide for the separation of regulatory functions from airport operation functions by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, will also be brought to this august House.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, The small and medium enterprises sector has proved to be the most enduring business sphere, while also being the seedbed of entrepreneurship the world over. To ensure that an enabling environment exists for the sustainable development and growth of the local sector, a Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Bill shall be brought for consideration by Parliament during this Session.
Government, through the relevant Ministry is in the process of upgrading Savings and Credit Clubs into registered co-operatives. Several of the registered co-operatives have already done a commendable job by way of providing housing to their members. Government has since gazetted the amended Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Regulations, which incorporate the concerns and suggestions by various stakeholders. The amended Regulations provide for employee and community share ownership schemes, among other in-built features that guarantee broadbased empowerment.
The establishment of sectoral committees comprising representatives from Government and Industry will ensure that the implementation process remains mutually consultative and sensitive to sector specific considerations.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, It is regrettable that, owing to unavailability of capital, very little development took place in the housing sector over the last decade. However, it is expected that the situation will change for the better, following the establishment of a National Housing Development Loan Facility, under which UD$10 million has already been disbursed towards the provision of housing.
In addition, US$1 million has been released to the Housing and Guarantee Fund for purposes of guaranteeing mortgage advances for low cost housing by building societies and finance institutions. This, of course, is far from being adequate, considering the existing huge housing backlog. I, therefore, urge building societies, financial institutions and the general corporate sector to quickly move in and complement Government programmes.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, The water sector is a critical enabler in any economy. As such, Government will continue to channel available resources towards the rehabilitation and upgrading of urban and rural water supplies and sanitation services. In this regard, centres such as Beitbridge, Gweru, Kadoma and Mhangura will be accorded immediate attention. Resources will also be marshalled towards the completion of ongoing dam and allied projects construction.
As a response to the persistent problem of environmental degradation, the Environmental Management Act shall be amended to provide for more deterrent penalties against offenders. The amendments will also provide for the establishment of an Environmental Standards Enforcement Committee and Environmental Committees in urban local authorities.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, In order to accelerate the development of the local tourism sector, Zimbabwe has been designated as a Tourism Development Zone through Statutory Instruments 46 and 60 of 2009. This provides for the offer of a rebate of duty to operators registered with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority with respect to acquisition of new equipment, modernisation of facilities and goods imported exclusively for the tourism industry.
In a move that will certainly improve its efficiency, the Immigration Department has now computerised its operations at the Harare International Airport, Victoria Falls Airport, Kazungula and Beitbridge ports of entry. The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, in partnership with Afrosoft, a software developer, has launched a mobile gateway, which will enable tourists to access critical information on the local tourism industry using mobile phones.
Madame President, Mr Speaker Sir, Effective development and application of communication technologies (ICTs) is a sine qua non of economic competitiveness in this era of the knowledge-driven economy. In pursuance of this goal, Government, through the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, has come up with a national ICT Strategic Plan. Consultations on the legislative framework to underpin development of this sector are underway. The overarching goal is to turn Zimbabwe into a knowledge-driven society and an ICT hub in the region. As we move towards increased regional integration, it is expedient that we work on harmonising the examination and quality assurance systems in the country with those in Sadc and beyond.
In so doing, we guarantee the relevance and competitiveness of Zimbabwean qualifications and labour force in the global arena. Accordingly, the Zimbabwe Examinations and Qualifications Authority Bill and the School Examinations Council Amendment Bill will be brought to the house for consideration during this Session. The Indigenous Languages Bill, providing for the preservation and promotion of indigenous languages, will also be tabled before this august House.
To alleviate the plight of less privileged students, Government, with assistance from UNICEF, has expanded the scope of the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) facility to cover both tuition and examination fees to cater for needy secondary school pupils. Needy students in tertiary institutions of learning will continue to receive assistance under the Government Cadetship Programme.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, Mindful that health is a fundamental human right, Government has over the years sought to achieve universal access to high quality health for all. However, the attainment of this grand objective has been retarded by the challenges largely emanating from the economic difficulties experienced by the country in recent years.
In an effort to trigger increased flows of resources into the health sector and in consultation with the donor community, Government has come up with a National Health Sector Strategy (2009-2013) and the Health Sector Investment Case document, the latter outlining priority areas of investment in the sector. Ongoing works to refurbish and equip central and provincial hospitals will continue. The Medical Aid Societies Bill, which will provide for the registration and regulation of medical aid societies, will be tabled in this House. I wish to express profound personal appreciation to all who have assisted us through the donor supported staff retention scheme for the health sector. The support has greatly stabilised the staff situation in the sector.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, The Attorney General’s Office Bill shall be introduced in Parliament during this Session. The Bill will take Law Officers out of the Public Service and provide for functions and powers of the Attorney General’s Office Board. The Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill, which aims to incorporate into the Code the suggestions by members of the public, shall be brought for consideration. Furthermore, a Media Practitioner’s Bill, which will repeal the part of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act which deals with the registration of journalists and privacy issues, will also be tabled during this Session.
In line with the Sadc decision to ensure our region migrates from analogue to digital platforms by 2013, Government will mobilise resources to ensure Zimbabwe becomes digitally compliant before then. Equally, platforms for rural information should get a boost from the redeployment of equipment sourced for the just-ended 2010 World Cup.
Our civil servants, and indeed the bulk of the general workforce, continue to bear the brunt of the economic hardships, as they have to make do with limited incomes in the face of high service charges.
I wish, once again, to thank them for continuing to exhibit great fortitude and resilience under these very difficult circumstances. I also wish to assure civil servants that Government, as their employer, has not reneged on its commitment to ensure future improvement of their conditions of service. Efforts in that direction are continuing in earnest, with the desire to ameliorate their situation as soon as it is practically possible. Addressing the issues of excessive public utility bills, and salary levels, to ensure that they too are aligned to the capacity of the economy, will also be necessary. On a general note, I wish to appeal to our corporate sector to work towards saving jobs by embarking on alternative cost cutting measures instead of resorting to labour layoffs at the first instance.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, Following ratification of the Sadc Protocol on Gender and Development in October 2009, focus is now on implementing the provisions of the protocol, notably the call for equal gender representation in politics and other levels of decision making. Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, is in the process of coming up with a Women’s Council Bill.
The Bill to be presented to this Parliament will facilitate the establishment of a Women’s Council to co-ordinate implementation of women’s empowerment programmes in the country. Government has also set up a Women’s Development Fund, which will provide loans to women without the need for collateral security. The Fund was allocated US$1 million under the current Budget, which is to be managed through the Post Office Savings Bank.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, The nation continues to enjoy peace and tranquillity, which is a critical ingredient for sustainable socio-economic development. We, therefore, wish to pay tribute to our defence and security forces for continuing to fulfil their constitutional obligation of safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
To effectively discharge their mandate, the police naturally depend on the support and co-operation of other stakeholders, including the general public. It is in this regard that I wish to applaud the recently established partnership between Business and the Police to fight white collar crime. The Trafficking in Persons Bill, which will criminalise human trafficking in accordance with the Palermo Protocol to the Anti-Organised Crime Convention, will be introduced in this august House during this Session.
On the diplomatic front, we shall seek to deepen our co-operation with all the members of the international community. The International Agreements Bill, which aims to rationalise the system of ratifying, publishing and domesticating international agreements, shall be tabled in this Parliament. It is also our fervent hope that the resumed dialogue with the European Union will yield a positive result.
On the whole, the turnaround of our economy, empowerment of our people as well as the promotion of social justice and peaceful co-existence will continue to define our engagement with the world community of nations.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, Lasting unity can only thrive in an atmosphere of open and brotherly dialogue, trust, and mutual tolerance. The Organ for National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration is spearheading this process.
In pursuance of its mandate, the organ will engage political parties, civil society, traditional leaders, churches and other related experts, in an effort to promote national healing, reconciliation and cohesion.
The unity and sense of optimism prevailing in the country under the banner of the Inclusive Government is for all of us as Zimbabweans to cherish and jealously guard. We should continue to be prompted by the sense of confidence in ourselves and a resilient faith in our national heritage. We have to remain rooted in the reality that we are the sole guarantors of our independence and economic emancipation.
This should therefore bid us to exert our collective will, intellect, and energies to the utmost in pursuit of our shared vision of a strong, democratic and prosperous truly independent Zimbabwe.
May we each play our part in fostering national healing, cohesion, unity and integration, in order to guarantee sustainable economic and social transformation of our nation.
Madame President, Mr Speaker, Sir, Allow me to now commend these matters for your consideration and declare this, the Third Session of the Seventh Parliament of the Republic of Zimbabwe, duly open.
I thank you.
Labels: MUGABE, SPEECHES
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No compromise on constitution: Mugabe
by Staff Reporter
10/07/2010 00:00:00
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe says foreign interference in the constitutional reform exercise will not be tolerated and urged Zanu PF members to ensure the draft charter consolidates the party’s “nationalist revolutionary” ideals.
Addressing the party’s central committee meeting in Harare Mugabe said donors funding the constitutional reform programme should not be allowed to influence the content of the charter.
“Foreigners must back off. We had nothing to do with their constitutions, in fact we were not even there as a free people when they wrote them.
“The draft constitution must come from the hands of Zimbabweans, not from those countries who think the fact of making financial inputs to our processes entitles them to interfere with the outcome. We cannot swop our birthright for the donor's dollar,” he said.
Writing a new constitution was one of the key provisions of the political deal agreed by Mugabe and long time rival Morgan Tsvangirai, now prime minister in the country’s coalition government.
However the process is nearly a year behind schedule bogged down by inadequate funding and unending squabbles between the political parties.
Meanwhile Mugabe also urged Zanu PF to ensure the “gains of the liberation struggle” are not compromised during the exercise.
“We have positions to defend, principles and policies and on these there shall be no compromise. We must ensure the product carries and consolidates our ideals as a nationalist revolutionary party.
“We fought for the Independence and untrammeled sovereignty of this nation. That coveted status must remain solid, secure and unshaken for all time,” he declared.
And in apparent reference to the existing and much-amended Lancaster House charter, Mugabe claimed foreigners had imposed constitutions on Zimbabwe in the past adding the country bore “everlasting scars from harsh laws written for us”.
However, despite slating donors, Mugabe conceded that the constitutional reform exercise was woefully resourced.
“It is clear this crucial exercise has been made more challenging by the sheer sparseness of resources. The whole process is severely under-resourced, creating situations that are near impossible for all those involved,” he said.
Once completed, the draft charter will be put to a national referendum possibly leading to elections for a substantive government sometime next year.
Labels: CONSTITUTION, DONORS, MUGABE
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President right on country's recovery
By: By Frank Banda
Posted: Saturday, July 10, 2010 6:21 am
WESTERN media and Euro-centric analysts went into a frenzy this week after President Mugabe gave a speech at a Zanu-PF Central Committee meeting on Thursday.
The President rightly said that Zimbabwe will recover "by her wits and resources" and the likes of the Movement for Democratic Change will have to stop wasting time on "useless initiatives". One such "useless initiative" is the belief that Zimbabweans will be saved by help from the West.
Eric Bloch -- a Eurocentric economist -- denounced the President's assertion claiming that said Zimbabwe cannot recover without Western aid, increased trade and foreign investment.
This is true, but Mr Bloch read the President out of context; as international analysts and their accompanying media often do, or choose to do.
They responded with the same level of ignorance when the president once said, "Zimbabwe is mine". The president's wit is often misconstrued by those people who have a different agenda on Zimbabwe.
The hatred of President Mugabe has made some people, who are considered experts in their field, sound like novices.
President Mugabe's speech was meant to show the world that Zimbabwe has sufficient resources to take itself out of its current problems, considering all other conditions are equal.
There are many ways of conveying this message and President Mugabe only used one -- and the anti-Mugabe lobby went amok.
Conditional aid, which in itself is meant to benefit the West, has no place in developing Zimbabwe.
How can countries that impose sanctions on a country be seen as concerned about the same country's development?
Mr Bloch should know, as an 'economist', that the current international trade regime is skewed against developing countries.
The debates at the World Trade Organisation -- on agriculture, services, sanitary and phytosanitary measures -- have been mired in conflict because they tend to favour the West.
Various discussions have broken down because of this and demonstrations against Western manipulation of the world trading regime have been seen everywhere -- in Doha and elsewhere.
For centuries, foreign investment (and divestment) has not benefitted the African continent in ways that are expected of a rich continent.
Politics has been a major impediment to Africa's development; and economists like Mr Bloch should not only look at conventional economics; but should consider various factors that affect development in Africa.
Aid is investment; and countries that give aid want a return on their investment. So far, they have been as greedy as to want everything from that investment.
This is why they oppose our own initiatives -- like the indigenisation and empowerment initiatives -- which eat into their profits.
The World Bank and International Monetary Fund are banks, period. They make money from lending. That is why they want Zimbabwe to repay its debt; so they can get a return on their investment. Any policy they will suggest for Zimbabwe is predicated on the need to realise profit from their investment.
If Zimbabwe is so poor, why do they not give the country a moratorium, or cancel the debt outright?
A new economic thinking is needed. The likes of Erich Bloc and Godfrey Kanyenze (and the Washington and London economists) have failed to come up with the right kind of ideas necessary for Africa.
Where Africa has taken the lead, they have stood in the way. Politics plays a key role, as pointed out above. There's no way Africa can listen to this neo-liberal reasoning (or nonsense) anymore. It hasn't benefited Africa up to now and it will never benefit Africa in future.
"Useless initiatives" indeed.
How can a country like Britain, with billions in debt, be expected to provide US$10 billion in aid to Zimbabwe?
The EU will keep you on your toes thinking much will come from them. There are countries in the region that are near collapse. They will provide for their embattled kith and kin in Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain (PIGS) before they think about Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC-T.
The president, as usual, has scored another ace. Zimbabwe (and Africa) will indeed recover "by her wits and resources".
_______________
*Frank Banda is a columnist for TalkZimbabwe.com
Labels: FRANK BANDA, IMF, MUGABE, NEOLIBERALISM, WTO
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West can keep its money: Mugabe
by Staff Reporter
09/07/2010 00:00:00
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe says Zimbabwe does not need Western aid and insisted the country’s shattered economy can be turned around by increased exploitation of its mineral wealth.
Mugabe told a Zanu PF central committee meeting in Harare on Thursday that the country should forget about Western financial support and urged partners in the coalition government not to waste time on what he described as “useless initiatives”.
“Zimbabwe shall recover by her wits and resources. Zimbabwe will not be saved by any country or organisation, least of all Western. It is our mineral resources … which will turn this economy and country around.
“Let our partners in the inclusive Government get that, so we do not waste our efforts on useless initiatives,” Mugabe said.
His remarks reflect growing frustration within Zanu PF at the failure by Western countries to extend significant financial support and lift sanctions after the party agreed to join up with its rivals to form the coalition administration.
Finance Minister, Tendai Biti, projected – when he presented his 2010 budget last year – that support from “cooperating partners” would top US$810 million.
But the minister has since admitted the projections were overly optimistic noting donors had only provided about US$3million in the first three months of the year.
The European Union had demanded more substantive political reforms before sanctions are lifted while analysts say the West is not convinced Mugabe will not ditch the coalition government “once funds are made available to revive the economy”.
But Mugabe is adamant the country can do without the West’s largesse adding efforts should be made to strengthen its ‘look east policy’.
“We have friends in other parts of the world ... Let us work with those for progress and let us turn our back on those who do not want to work with us.
“Let the party (Zanu-PF) take a leading role in ensuring our policy of looking east gets vindicated,” he said.
Mugabe also railed against the failure by the Kimberly Process (KP) to endorse exports of diamonds extracted from Marange district in the county’s eastern Manicaland province.
“We have been put in the dock for having diamonds in our territory and for wanting to exploit them with partners from other countries other than from these (Canada, United States and Australia) and other Western nations.
“We have been put in the dock because it is assertive Zimbabwe that has found diamonds and is thus likely to be even more assertive in outlook,” he said.
The Kimberly Process failed to reach a consensus on the issue during a recent meeting in Israel despite a recommendation by its monitor that the country had met the minimum conditions needed for the resumption of exports.
Western countries and rights organisations opposed the lifting of the export embargo while countries from the developing world backed Zimbabwe.
Mugabe said the stalemate showed Western countries were keen to see the country’s economy come to total ruin but vowed to defy the KP export ban.
“We are a sovereign country. We have no conflict here, no rebels here. We have the technology to mine (the diamonds) and will soon have the technology to polish them.
“Let no one doubt our resolve to sell them, with or without the KPCS, with or without the blessings of the USA, Canada, Australia or their NGO pawns,” he said.
Still, while Mugabe insists Zimbabwe can go it alone without help from the West, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the country’s heavy debt burden can only be tackled through debt relief.
"Zimbabwe is in debt distress, and the debt overhang cannot be resolved without debt relief even if policies are improved and mineral extraction is increased," the organization said in a recent position paper.
The country’s total external debt is about US$6 billion.
Labels: IMF, MUGABE
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Don't swop birthright for donor's dollar: President Mugabe
By: TC-TZG reporters
Posted: Friday, July 9, 2010 10:47 am
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe said Zimbabweans should forget about getting help from the West and cultivate relations with friendly countries as the West is only interested in plundering Zimbabwe's resources.
He urged the two factions of the Movement for Democratic Change that are in the inclusive Government not to waste their efforts on “futile initiatives” and futile relationships with the West.
Addressing the 81st Ordinary Session of Zanu-PF's Central Committee at the party's headquarters in Harare yesterday, President Mugabe said maximum exploitation of natural resources would turn the economy around and the nation should not wait for Western benevolence.
“Zimbabwe shall recover by her wits and resources. Zimbabwe will not be saved by any country or organisation, least of all Western.
"Let our partners in the inclusive Government get that, so we do not waste our efforts on useless initiatives,” he said.
President Mugabe added: “We have friends in other parts of the world, friends from history and common outlooks. Let us work with those for progress and let us turn our back on those who do not want to work with us.
"Let the party (Zanu-PF) take a leading role in ensuring our policy of 'Looking East' gets vindicated.”
President Mugabe said the Central Committee was meeting as Western countries redoubled their efforts to control Zimbabwe’s affairs.
“The latest such gross and unashamed meddling comes in the wake of the recent meeting of the Kimberly Process Certification Process on diamonds held in Tel Aviv in Israel,” he said.
President Mugabe said the KP was a voluntary organisation whose focus was on regularising movement and sale of diamonds to keep them away from being used in destabilising legitimate Governments by armed rebels.
He added that the KP is not a human rights organisation.
“It is not a human rights organisation. Yet this is what the United States of America, Canada and Australia would want it to be — not for all times, not in all cases — but only and simply for Zimbabwe…
"We have been put in the dock for having diamonds in our territory and for wanting to exploit them with partners from other countries other than from these (Canada, United States and Australia) and other Western nations.
“We have been put in the dock because it is assertive Zimbabwe that has found diamonds and is thus likely to be even more assertive in outlook. We have been put in the dock because these same countries have imposed illegal sanctions on us for our total ruin.
“Diamonds would thus blunt their sanctions enabling us to offset and checkmate their disastrous effects on our people and on our economy.”
President Mugabe reiterated that diamonds from the Chiadzwa fields in Manicaland Province would be sold soon, with or without KP approval or their "NGO pawns".
“We are a sovereign country. We have no conflict here, no rebels here. We are a lawful Government representing the people of Zimbabwe who own these resources.
"Our diamonds are not only bright and clean, they are greatly demanded worldwide. We have the technology to mine them and will soon have the technology to polish them. Let no one doubt our resolve to sell them, with or without the KPCS, with or without the blessings of the USA, Canada, Australia or their NGO pawns.
We do not need the blessings of anyone, least of all nations with chequered origins and equally chequered profiles in spilling so much blood to lay their filthy hands on resources of other nations,” President Mugabe said.
Cabinet last month approved the immediate sale of diamonds from Chiadzwa following Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu's presentation on his visit to Tel Aviv.
KP monitor for Zimbabwe Mr Abbey Chikane of South Africa presented a non-adverse report to the Tel Aviv meeting.
President Mugabe told other countries they had no say in Zimbabwe’s constitution-making process and urged Zanu-PF to defend the process and safeguard the gains of the liberation struggle.
“We have positions to defend, principles and policies and on these there shall be no compromise. Zanu-PF has to defend the constitution-making process to ensure it has integrity and is not taken advantage of by hostile foreigners who wish to hang and enslave us by this process and by a deformed outcome.
“We are working towards a Zimbabwean constitution, not a constitution for Zimbabwe by non-Zimbabweans, a constitution which foreigners want or wish for us. Foreigners must back off. We had nothing to do with their constitutions, in fact we were not even there as a free people when they wrote them.
“The draft constitution must come from the hands of Zimbabweans, not from those countries who think the fact of making financial inputs to our processes entitles them to interfere with the outcome. We cannot swop our birthright for the donor's dollar,” President Mugabe said.
He said foreigners drafted nasty constitutions for Zimbabwe in the past and the country “bears everlasting scars from harsh laws written for us”.
President Mugabe said Zimbabweans looked to Zanu-PF to be the “vanguard in that new war”.
“Once the process is defended and secure, we must ensure the product carries and consolidates our ideals as a nationalist revolutionary party. We fought for the Independence and untrammeled sovereignty of this nation. That coveted status must remain solid, secure and unshaken for all time.
"Zimbabwe ndeyeropa, yakauya nehondo. Haichadzokera kuvarungu zvakare (Zimbabwe was won through the shedding of our blood and will never be controlled by whites again,” President Mugabe thundered to sustained applause.
He said the process of capturing and collating views during the outreach should be honest, broad, accurate and completely free from personal prejudice.
The President and Zanu-PF First Secretary hailed the spirit of peace and mutual tolerance being exhibited during the outreach.
He, however, noted that the process had faced some challenges.
“From the reports we are getting, it is clear this crucial exercise has been made more challenging by the sheer sparseness of resources. The whole process is severely underresourced, creating situations that are near impossible for all those involved.
“We pay tribute to our teams for persevering against such scant support,” President Mugabe said.
Labels: MUGABE, NEOCOLONIALISM
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Zimbabwe will be saved by her wits
By: His Excellency President Mugabe
Posted: Friday, July 9, 2010 11:09 am
THE following is an extract of a speech made by PRESIDENT ROBERT MUGABE to the 81st Ordinary Session of Zanu-PF's Central Committee at the party's headquarters in Harare yesterday. Media reports on Friday spun the president's speech saying that he said Zimbabwe does not need Western aid. Zanu-PF dismissed this assertion saying that conditional aid is what the president dismissed, not aid per se.
SELECTED EXTRACT
"The maximum exploitation of Zimbabwe's natural resources will turn the Zimbabwean economy around and, as a nation, we should not wait for Western benevolence.
Zimbabwe shall recover by her wits and resources. Zimbabwe will not be saved by any country or organisation, least of all Western.
Let our partners in the inclusive Government get that, so we do not waste our efforts on useless initiatives.
It is our mineral resources — all these helped by the ingenuity and entrepreneurship of our people which will turn this economy and country around!
We have friends in other parts of the world, friends from history and common outlooks. Let us work with those for progress and let us turn our back on those who do not want to work with us.
Let the Zanu-PF take a leading role in ensuring our policy of 'Looking East' gets vindicated.
We meet today as Western countries are redoubling their efforts to control Zimbabwe’s affairs.
The latest such gross and unashamed meddling comes in the wake of the recent meeting of the Kimberly Process Certification Process on diamonds held in Tel Aviv in Israel. This is a voluntary organisation whose focus is on regularising movement and sale of diamonds to keep them away from being used in destabilising legitimate Governments by armed rebels.
It is not a human rights organisation. Yet this is what the United States of America, Canada and Australia would want it to be — not for all times, not in all cases — but only and simply for Zimbabwe.
We have been put in the dock for having diamonds in our territory and for wanting to exploit them with partners from other countries other than from these (Canada, United States and Australia) and other Western nations.
We have been put in the dock because it is assertive Zimbabwe that has found diamonds and is thus likely to be even more assertive in outlook.
We have been put in the dock because these same countries have imposed illegal sanctions on us for our total ruin.
Diamonds would thus blunt their sanctions enabling us to offset and checkmate their disastrous effects on our people and on our economy.
We are a sovereign country. We have no conflict here, no rebels here. We are a lawful Government representing the people of Zimbabwe who own these resources.
Our diamonds are not only bright and clean, they are greatly demanded worldwide. We have the technology to mine them and will soon have the technology to polish them. Let no one doubt our resolve to sell them, with or without the KPCS, with or without the blessings of the USA, Canada, Australia or their NGO pawns.
We do not need the blessings of anyone, least of all nations with chequered origins and equally chequered profiles in spilling so much blood to lay their filthy hands on resources of other nations.
We have positions to defend, principles and policies and on these there shall be no compromise.
We are working towards a Zimbabwean constitution, not a constitution for Zimbabwe by non-Zimbabweans, a constitution which foreigners want or wish for us. Foreigners must back off. We had nothing to do with their constitutions, in fact we were not even there as a free people when they wrote them.
Zanu-PF has to defend the constitution-making process to ensure it has integrity and is not taken advantage of by hostile foreigners who wish to hang and enslave us by this process and by a deformed outcome.
The draft constitution must come from the hands of Zimbabweans, not from those countries who think the fact of making financial inputs to our processes entitles them to interfere with the outcome. We cannot swop our birthright for the donor's dollar.
Foreigners drafted nasty constitutions for Zimbabwe in the past and the country bears everlasting scars from harsh laws written for us.
Once the process is defended and secure, we must ensure the product carries and consolidates our ideals as a nationalist revolutionary party. We fought for the Independence and untrammeled sovereignty of this nation. That coveted status must remain solid, secure and unshaken for all time.
Zimbabwe ndeyeropa, yakauya nehondo. Haichadzokera kuvarungu zvakare (Zimbabwe was won through the shedding of our blood and will never be controlled by whites again.
The process of capturing and collating views during the outreach should be honest, broad, accurate and completely free from personal prejudice.
We commend the spirit of peace and mutual tolerance being exhibited during the outreach, although the process has faced some challenges.
From the reports we are getting, it is clear this crucial exercise has been made more challenging by the sheer sparseness of resources. The whole process is severely underresourced, creating situations that are near impossible for all those involved.
We pay tribute to our teams for persevering against such scant support."
(Part of the Speech delivered to the Zanu-PF Central Committe, the highest decision-making body outside Congress on Thursday 8 July 2010)
Labels: KIMBERLEY PROCESS, MUGABE, NEOCOLONIALISM, SPEECHES
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