ED says Zim will succeed despite sanctions
resolve to succeed as a nation, despite the odds against us,” he said. “Together, in love, peace, unity and harmony, Vision 2030 shall become a reality.
“My Government will continue to take measures to mitigate against the impact of these illegal sanctions.”
President Mnangagwa said so far, Government has maximised revenue collection and ensured efficient utilisation of scarce resources to boost critical areas, for example through programmes such as Command Agriculture, the introduction of a mono-currency regime to boost the country’s competitiveness and the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector. Further, Government is deepening the fight against corruption, plugging revenue leakages, dealing with currency manipulation and artificially high prices caused by greedy cartels and businesses, creation and support of vibrant provincial economies and rural industry systems and resuscitation of the public transport sector, he said.
Government is also modernising and expanding the health delivery systems and the education sector with an increased focus on science, technology and innovation; and is also shielding vulnerable citizens through provision of social safety nets.
President Mnangagwa said under the Second Republic, Zimbabweans have taken conscious decisions to reform their political and economic systems for their benefit.
“We are opening up both our political and economic space,” he said. “Under my leadership, constitutionalism, democracy, rule of law, transparency, accountability and the inalienable human rights of all citizens, shall continue to be the hallmark of our great country.
“The engagement and re-engagement policy, as well as the peaceful co-existence with all nations of the world are now key pillars of our foreign policy.
“The culture of dialogue, peaceful resolution of disputes and the acceptance of divergent views will continue to be inculcated among our people.”
President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe stretched its arms to all countries for mutually beneficial partnerships that improve the lives of people.
He paid tribute to the EU for accepting Government’s request for dialogue, even though the bloc maintains sanctions on a few citizens.
“Allow me to acknowledge and commend the EU for taking some initial, positive steps towards responding to our offer for dialogue and friendship,” said President Mnangagwa.
“The EU has begun progressively removing the sanctions that it imposed on us, thereby allowing us to access some development assistance under the European Development Fund. Complementing these practical actions is an ongoing political dialogue to strengthen our bilateral cooperation.
“We call on the United States Government to immediately and unconditionally remove the sanctions they have imposed on us, for the sake of our children, living and unborn, our youth, women, the elderly; and our economy as a whole.”
President Mnangagwa said Zimbabweans deserved to grow, develop, modernise, industrialise and prosper without the albatross of sanctions.
“The removal of these sanctions is just and indeed a fundamental human right for the people of Zimbabwe,” he said. “To the Ambassadors accredited to Zimbabwe, you live, work and walk among us, these sanctions affect you too and you have seen their far-reaching effects on our people.
“We invite you to stand with the ordinary people of Zimbabwe and report truthfully about the positive developments in our country. We urge you to carry our message of goodwill to your capitals and to pass on our call for them to respond to the new realities in our country, and review their policies that do not serve the purpose of progressive cooperation with Zimbabwe. A Zimbabwe free from sanctions, is a better and more valuable partner to you all.”
President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe remained resolute and enduring in its commitment to dialogue, friendship and mutually beneficial partnerships.
THE Hindu community in Bulawayo yesterday converged at a local leisure centre located in the city’s Suburbs suburb to celebrate their inaugural local Diwali festival.
Diwali is the Hindu version of Christmas. It is a five-day festival of lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world.
Event coordinator, Ms Inky Giga said the festival, which coincides with the start of the Hindu New Year, primarily focuses on celebrating new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.
“Diwali is the festival of light and we want to bring joy into everybody’s life and what we actually do is that we burn a candle and say, ‘let there be light’. We thought this was an ideal way of bringing the Hindu community together by celebrating Diwali as one big family in Bulawayo,” she said.
“It is quite amazing how everybody has turned up in their numbers where we have Moslems, Hindus, Coloureds, and this is our Christmas and that is how we celebrate it. Today (yesterday) is our Christmas and our New Year is tomorrow (today) and we are entering year 2076, which means we are way ahead of the English calendar.”
Ms Giga also took the opportunity to wish the Hindu community worldwide prosperity in their New Year, which begins today.
“Let us lift everybody’s spirits and face the New Year with determination and tenacity. On behalf of the local Hindu community, I also want to take this opportunity to wish everyone prosperity,” she said.
Diwali or Deepavali is one of the most popular festivals of Hinduism and it symbolises the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance”.
It is celebrated to honour Rama-chandra, the seventh avatar (incarnation of the god Vishnu). It is believed that on this day Rama returned to his people after 14 years of exile during which he fought and won a battle against the demons and the demon king, Ravana.
The last day of the five days long Diwali festival end with Bhai Dooj, the day when sisters pray for long and happy lives for their brothers.
After celebrating the festival of Diwali, the Hindu celebrate Devotthan Ekadasi also known as Prabodhini Ekadashi, on the eleventh day of half of the Hindu month of Kartik.
In 2020, Diwali is on November 14.
Among those who graced the occasion were Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Raj Modi and prominent Bulawayo businessman and former Zanu-PF councillor Mr Mohammed Hassan Esat. — @mashnets