Midlands says no to western embargo

Gweru(The Times-New Ziana) -Thousands of people from all walks of life converged in the Midlands capital of Gweru where they boldly demanded the immediate removal of the two decade long illegal sanctions.

The historic day commenced with a procession from Gweru Sports Club into the Central Business District where Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Larry Mavima presented President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s speech.

Various entertainment groups performed for the thousands in attendance while stakeholders from different organisations presented solidarity messages.

Civic Society and Churches Joint Forum national spokesperson Innocent Nentanyau applauded SADC’s solidarity with Zimbabwe on the removal of illegal economic sanctions that the European Union and the United States imposed.

“Sanctions were not imposed on us as a result of the so called human violations but because of Zimbabwe’s land reform programme,” he said.

“By taking back our stolen land, Zimbabwe became a threat to US foreign policy which is white supremacy and exploitation of Africans,” he added.

ZANU PF provincial chairperson Daniel Mackenzie Ncube said the SADC anti-sanctions day was a day of unity for all progressive Zimbabweans to call for the removal of illegal sanctions.

Midlands State University vice chancellor Professor Ngoni Muzvidziwa said universities in the country were suffering from the effects of sanctions.

“As universities, we want sanctions removed. They are unjust and illegal,” he said.

“We know that Zimbabwe is being punished for implementing the land reform programme,” he added.

Zimbabwe Liberation War Veterans Association Midlands secretary Simbarashe Rushwaya said the country should move with SADC in the call for the removal of sanctions.

“We fought for this country so that the public enjoy but that has not happened,” he said.

“It is not true that sanctions will result in prosperity but they lead to generational poverty,” he said.

Chiefs’ representative Chief Chiundura said sanctions were affecting the ordinary people in their areas.

Musician Joseph Nhara aka Man Souljah said artists in the country had been affected by sanctions as they could not market or sell their works internationally.

“There are various online platforms that artists can use to earn money like Youtube and Facebook. One can market in America but the problem comes when you have to be paid and when you use a Zimbabwean address,” he said.

“Whoever would want to pay would have reprisals by the Bank of America,” he said.

Musicians who included Man Souljah, Xiddo and Amai Patai wowed the crowds with anti-sanctions songs.

The public was also treated to a soccer match between Fun Cargo and Guinea Fowl.

New Ziana