Bulawayo, (New Ziana) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa said on Sunday that despite the illegal western sanctions the country continued to face, his administration`s engagement and re-engagement drive was opening new avenues of cooperation and strategic synergies with the outside world.
The West, angered by Zimbabwe’s land reforms under which excess farmland was compulsorily acquired by government from white farmers to resettle landless peasants, imposed sanctions on the country two decades ago to try and force it to relent.
Zimbabwe estimates the sanctions had cost its economy over US$100 billion over the two decades, in the form of restricted trade, lost investment opportunities and limited access to global capital and financial support.
Addressing the Seventh National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service convened by the Zimbabwe Indigenous Inter-denominational Council of Churches (ZIICC) here, President Mnangagwa said inspite of sanctions that were meant to cripple its economy, Zimbabwe was making progress in turning around its economic fortunes, thanks in large part to the government’s policy efforts to re-engage both friend and foe, to re-set ties.
“Notwithstanding the unjust illegal sanctions we continue to face, our engagement and re-engagement drive is opening new avenues of cooperation and strategic synergies,” he said, referring to Zimbabwe’s blossoming relations with much of the world, including some nations in the West.
“This attests to our guiding foreign policy objective that Zimbabwe is a friend to all and enemy to none,” he added.
He applauded churches in the country for supporting various national programmes and projects being implemented across all sectors, and for calling for the lifting of sanctions.
“As government, we give thanks to the Almighty God, as he continues to
reward hard work with both visible and tangible progress in our national development agenda,” President Mnangagwa said.
He said every sector in the country was improving, and government was keen to enhance the competitiveness of the economy by deepening the ease of doing business reforms to create one of the most business friendly environments on the continent.
“Not only have we experienced unprecedented bumper harvest in maize, wheat and traditional grains, our persistence in working hard in the construction of dams is rapidly expanding our production and productive capacity through irrigation, over and above providing water for the needy,” he said.
“Every sector of the economy is improving, be it mining, tourism, civil aviation, power generation and technology among others,” President Mnangagwa said.
He said beyond dams, government was drilling boreholes in each of the 35 000 villages in the country, adding that infrastructure development based on the local needs identified by communities such as schools, hospitals, clinics, and bridges were also being prioritised.
Turning to churches, President Mnangagwa said these were playing a pivotal role in uniting people and inculcating the spirit of peace, love and harmony in the broader Zimbabwean society.
“I appreciate that this annual National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service provides us with a powerful platform to gather in unity as a nation. All of us as Zimbabweans from Zambezi to Limpopo, from Mutare to Plumtree we are one people. The Almighty God has gifted us with stewardship over this beautiful country, full of promise and potential,” he said.
“We remain determined to maintain a culture of diligence, self-reliance and hard, honest work in the face of machinations of our country`s detractors. We are firmly rooted in the conviction to which God`s word bears witness,” he said.
Speaking on the same occasion, Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi said the Church will remain committed to continue praying for peace and development in the country.
He commended President Mnangagwa for his achievements in the last few years as the country’s leader.
“I would commend the President for the remarkable achievements the country attained in the last few years. We have witnessed massive construction of dams, road rehabilitation, the construction of the magnificent parliament building, and the Gwayi Shangani dam project,” he said.
“As we look into the future, we would like to assure you that as Church, we are committed to partner your administration. Unity can defeat sanctions,” Bishop Mutendi said.
The first edition of the Zimbabwe National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service was held in December 2017 when President Mnangagwa assumed office.
He has graced the event every year, and this year’s edition was attended by a host of local, regional and international delegates, among them Acting President Constantino Chiwenga, and Zimbabwe Council of Chiefs President Chief Mtshane Khumalo.
New Ziana
