Home grown solutions key to national development – Pres Mnangagwa

Harare, (New Ziana) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa said on Saturday home grown solutions are the only remedy to the country’s economic challenges, calling on the church to rally behind government’s push for increased productivity.

The Head of State, who was a guest at the launch of the Zimbabwe Indigenous Inter-denominational Council of Churches (ZIICC) national day of prayer, said Zimbabweans must not allow foreigners to shape their destiny.

The ZIICC is a grouping of 110 local churches chaired by Zion Christian Church leader, Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi.

“As we undertake these developmental processes, it is imperative that we rely on home grown solutions. Yes we may import new technologies and receive resources, which is good, but we must be creative and innovative on our own,” President Mnangagwa told thousands who attended the event.

“It is not acceptable to have other people shape and direct our destiny. The destiny of the people of Zimbabwe should be in the hands of the people of Zimbabwe. We must be masters of our own destiny.”

He reiterated calls for unity of purpose among the generality of Zimbabweans and especially politicians who have a penchant for working with foreigners to destabilise the country.

“The knowledge that we are all God’s children binds us together as one nation, united by our flag, our national anthem, ethos and common aspirations as a country,” President Mnangagwa said.

“Yes we may differ in the way we think, our choices as well as our origins, colour and beliefs, but we should not allow that to divide us.”

President Mnangagwa said his government was working to build the country “brick by brick, stone upon stone,” calling on church leaders and congregants to rally behind government’s 2030 target of attaining an upper middle class economy for Zimbabwe.

“God has given us abundant natural resources throughout the country, we must harness these natural endowments to improve the quality of life of our people,” he said.

Describing local churches as “reliable and patriotic partners,” the Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, lauded the church for its collective voice in supporting government’s and the African Union’s call for the removal of western sanctions on the country.

The sanctions are blamed for spiralling Zimbabwe’s economic challenges.

Bishop Mutendi said unity was key in both church and politics to remove suspicion and mistrust among other ills.

He said indigenous churches will work with mainline churches for the country’s greater good.

“The church cannot preach unity when it is divided,” he said.

He, like various other church leaders who spoke at the event, reiterated calls for unity among Zimbabweans, and without pinpointing anyone, called on everyone to support the current government instead of criticising and sabotaging its plans for personal ambitions.
New Ziana