VP Mohadi urges churches to promote peace ahead of polls Woos investors to Beitbridge Town

VICE-PRESIDENT Kembo Mohadi has implored churches to play a leading role in promoting the gospel of peace and tolerance ahead of the forthcoming harmonised elections.

In a speech read on his behalf by the Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs, Cde Abedinico Ncube, during the ground breaking ceremony for the proposed Gospel of God Church-run Hannavale Environment School in Figtree yesterday, VP Mohadi said churches play a critical role in the socio-economic development and political stability of the country.

“The prevailing peace in the country can never be complete during the peaceful transition to date without mentioning the role played by the church.

“The current dispensation encourages a peaceful co-existence regardless of divergent views in the political arena, particularly as we head towards the elections,” he said.

VP Mohadi commended indigenous churches for supporting the Government during and after independence.

“I also would like to reiterate that as Government we are fully behind local indigenous churches because they continue to support us spiritually and materially throughout all the challenges that the country has been subjected to.

“Today we say Zimbabwe is open for business and all who wish us well can join us in building our nation towards prosperity,” he said.

The Vice-President singled out the Gospel of God Church, saying it has stood with the Government during and after the country’s liberation struggle.

Gospel of God Church commands a huge following amongst the Apostolic Sect religious organisations in the country and it has a vast number of followers throughout the entire Sadc region and beyond.

VP Mohadi hailed the church for coming up with the idea to establish the environmental school, saying it will assist in promoting environmental awareness VICE-PRESIDENT Kembo Mohadi has called for speedy investment in education and health facilities among other key sectors in Beitbridge Town, in recognition of its rapid socio and economic growth in the last decade.

He said the town was one of the fastest growing urban settlements in the country.

The Vice President said Beitbridge was the face of the country for many visitors entering from South Africa by road and it played a key role in national economic development, hence the need to accelerate its modernisation.

He made the remarks in a speech read on his behalf by Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Matabeleland South, Cde Abedinico Ncube, on Friday evening at a function held to celebrate the town’s elevation to municipality status.

President Mnangagwa elevated Beitbridge into a municipality on March 9 as part of the Government’s thrust to facilitate urban development.

“To secure the future of our young generation, it is key to invest in the education sector,” said VP Mohadi. “Given the population growth, most primary and secondary schools are overwhelmed in terms of enrolment.

“Although Beitbridge carries a large population, there are no tertiary institutions in the town, resulting in locals travelling to other towns including Gwanda, Masvingo, Bulawayo and Gweru to access these facilities. Opportunities, therefore, exist in the establishment of colleges and universities. The

issues.

“The environment school will certainly promote environmental awareness through churning out graduates who will superintend and safe guard the municipality is dreaming and dreaming big of the University of Beitbridge and we understand that efforts are underway to secure land for this milestone project.”

VP Mohadi said it was important to establish more health institutions in the border town, which is one of the busiest inland ports in Sadc.

Beitbridge District has one 140-bed referral hospital which is a centre for 180 000 residents and an additional 13 000 on daily transit.

VP Mohadi urged development agents to consider establishing another major hospital, either as a private or public private partnership with Government.

“Investors should also take advantage to create special doctors’ facilities, which people are currently accessing in other places like Bulawayo, Harare, South Africa and India,” he said. “In addition, the great Limpopo River which borders the municipality of Beitbridge with South Africa presents numerous tourism development opportunities awaiting exploitation.

“These include the development of accommodation, nature parks, water front, water games, wildlife viewing, water sporting and canoeing facilities, among others.”

VP Mohadi said the upgrading and modernisation of Beitbridge Border Post would also contribute to the town’s economic development.

He challenged authorities to explore other revenue initiatives to boost service delivery expectations which came with municipal status.

VP Mohadi emphasised the need to adopt environmentally friendly policies to improve resilience and “greening” of the town.

“The city fathers should also attend to the issue of stray livestock roaming the town’s streets,” he said.

environment. The enrolment of students at this institution will also bring development to Matabeleland South and the entire region,” said VP Mohadi. — @ mashnets