Manicaland speaks against sanctions
SADC
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As a nation, we have demonstrated that we are resilient and hardworking people and we are determined to achieve our developmental aspirations despite the sanctions,” said President Mnangagwa.
Minister Mugadza commended the people of Manicaland for speaking with one, loud voice in denouncing the sanctions whose devastating effects are adversely impacting on several sectors of the economy and also affecting ordinary citizens.
Those who spoke to this publication on the sidelines of the event said the sanctions are an affront to the country’s developmental drive in achieving an empowered and prosperous upper-middle income economy by Year 2030 as enunciated by Vision 2030.
Zanu PF Mutare District Coordinating Committee (DCC) chairperson, Cde Binali Yard said various initiatives and programmes being implemented by the Second Republic to spur economic growth and social transformation are serving as sanctions busters.
“Under President Mnangagwa’s astute leadership, Zimbabwe is showing great tenacity in the face of sanctions and is not wallowing in self-pity and misery. The country is clearing its own path to prosperity. We are witnessing development that leaves no one and no place behind with inward-looking solutions to the challenges brought about the illegal embargoes,” said Cde Yard.
He added that by harnessing local resources for development and growth, Zimbabwe is determining its own destiny.
Cde Yard said President Mnangagwa’s engagement and re-engagement efforts with the global fraternity are yielding the desired results through partnerships with friendly and progressive nations to boost the country’s infrastructural, among other sectors of the economy.
He said the net result is the improvement in the quality of people’s lives as well as enhancement of communal livelihoods to reverse the adverse effects of the sanctions.
Bishop Mucha Nyamukapa of Holy Cross and Grace Ministries said they will continue praying for the country.
“We thank God for the leadership we have in the country. We are delighted that President Mnangagwa acknowledges the role churches play in the development of the country, reason he says: “Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo, Igotongwa Nevene Vayo, Uye Igonamatirwa Nevene Vayo”. As religious groups, we will continue praying for the country’s prosperity even when beset by the sanctions,” said Bishop Nyamukapa.
Entrepreneur, Ms Patricia Chitinha said business is suffering because of the sanctions.
“I came all the way from Chimanimani to throw my weight behind this cause calling for the removal of sanctions. The embargoes are a double-edged sword hurting local business. These sanctions have discouraged foreign investors from coming to Zimbabwe and this affects capital and financial inflows. Local businesses are also failing to retool and run sustainably. Some of our international markets have also been lost due to the sanctions. All this has increased the cost of doing business. The embargoes are also affecting ordinary Zimbabweans as their spending power has been negatively impacted. Our businesses have taken a severe knock,” said Ms Chitinha.
A farmer, Mr Clive Machipanda said the ongoing agricultural revolution is a game-changer in mitigating the impact of the sanctions.
“Achieving food security can help the country to rebut the sanctions. The mechanisation of farms as well as the provision of Presidential Agricultural Inputs being experienced throughout the country can provide the path to attaining self-sufficiency. Hunger can easily stalk us while under the sanctions, but thanks to President Mnangagwa championing the agricultural revolution, we are not lacking in food as we are producing enough for our own consumption and surplus for exports,” he said.
Mr Tendai Nemakonde said young people must desist from drug and substance abuse in order to meaningfully contribute to the development of the country and beat the sanctions.
“Supplying drugs and other illicit substances could be one of the subtle ways the country’s detractors are using to perpetuate the sanctions regimes. With our youths wasted on drugs, they will not be responsible citizens committed to build the country.
This leaves us at the mercy of the embargoes. Youths need to be heavily involved in initiatives that tackle the sanctions and they cannot do that while hooked on drugs,” said Mr Nemakonde.
Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) and Zion Christian Church (ZCC) Mbungo bands provided entertainment to the multitudes who turned up for the Anti-Sanctions Day provincial commemorations at Meikles Park.