Official Speeches, Publications and News Releases
By Various Model Government Ministers
Presidential address to mark the 29th Independence Day of Zimbabwe
Cholera and the State of our Health
Celebration of the International Women's Day
Worker's Day Address
State of Agriculture: An Important Analogy
Africa Day Statement – Prime Minister
Presidential address to mark the 29th Independence Day of Zimbabwe
Your majesty,
Honorable Vice President,
The Right Honorable Prime Minister,
Hon. Speaker of the Houses,
Honorable cabinet ministers, secretaries of affairs, ladies and gentlemen
Today we etch another line on the solid stone of our nation's history. A day in which we come to celebrate the life of our republic, born out of a revolution and the selfless sacrifice of thousands of brave men and women – the heroes of the Chimurenga. We come to reflect on the journey we have traversed since the landmark 18th day of April, twenty-nine years ago, when the tireless efforts of our people culminated in a new and promising dawn, which they named Zimbabwe. We also come together today to chart a new way forward for our nation, as now, more than ever before, we find ourselves at a critical juncture of time and history.
Let me start by acknowledging the enormous struggle and sacrifice that bore this nation. For almost a century our fathers lived in great injustice and inequality in a land of their own. Great was the burden that they under minority administration of Rhodesia. It was the yoke of economic inequality, racial segregation, repression of public opinion, denial of opportunity and injustice that inspired the masses to gain independence through the burrel of the gun. Up to this day, the bravery and selflessness of the scores of gallant fighters ignites fires of nationalism in our hearts. Many are now fallen for this country, Josiah Magamba Tongogara, Josiah Chinamano, Alfred Nikita Mangena, Jason Ziyapapa Moyo, Herbert Wilshire Chitepo and the many faceless, nameless warriors who now lie hidden and unknown in distant lands and faraway tombs. I would like to salute those who witnessed independence and continued to serve our country, both the living and the departed leaders – including Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, Amai Sally Mugabe, Ndabaningi Sithole, Joyce Mujuru, Simon Muzenda, and President Robert Mugabe.
Ours has been a long road, full of promise and hopes – yet marred by great misktakes and tension. Today we find our country reeling in a great crisis. It's an economic, social and political _ _ _ that has stretched beyond out borders. Our glorious past of a mighty Zimbabwe feared across the continent has now paled to insignificance in the shadow of the decay we have allowed within the bounds of the Limpopo and the Zambezi, out home.
Our schools, once the envy of the continent, are deserted and failing. Our political leaders are divided, and our people are fighting. Our hospitals are empty, and barrels of our water taps are dry. Our homes are dark at night, a shameful backward traversal by a century in not time, but technology. Our roads are worn, and the fields whose greenery once adorned our spacious lands now lie empty. Our families are hungry, our young minds and able bodies venture beyond our borders in their hundreds every day in a search for a better life. The future of our children is uncertain. Our image abroad is tattered, our name rebuked. If we do not act now, we have no tomorrow; the sun will never shine in our homeland, Zimbabwe
I believe in the power that lies in us to BE the change that we aspire for. Zimbabwe is home of the bright, and land of the gifted - a people defined by hard work and the perseverance of holding on until a brighter day comes. Our journey for the past decade of out twenty-nine years teaches us a lot, and that unique struggle should inspire us to lift Zimbabwe until the world marvels again at the jewel of Africa. We need a sound economy. We need jobs and better, safer homes. We need good education, and mould the leaders of today, tomorrow, and God knows, the day beyond the morrow. We need real unity, and true national healing for the atrocities that were committed against certain groups in our country – and only then can we move forward. We need the rule of the law, justice a new constitution. We a better image for our countries abroad, and start drawing back our people to the job of rebuilding Zimbabwe. Above all, we need unity of purpose in this ambitious quest.
I call upon the national coalition in Zimbabwe – between Messrs Tsvangirai, Mugabe and Mutambara – to faithfully fulfill the mandate they have. We need an end to political bickering and power struggles. We need an end to corruption and lack of transparency. We demand freedom for political prisoners held without trial. We demand an end to violence, and to the chaotic land invasions taking place. We demand the freedom of speech; we call for greater welfare for Zimbabwean workers including teachers and doctors. We need a real new beginning. It is time to shape up or ship out
I appeal to this premise – our dynamic Model Government to make an impact in this journey. As we celebrate twenty-nine years of independence, let us remember that mistakes of the recent past have soured the taste of independence. It is no-one's duty but ours to bring back that taste – as the leaders of today and tomorrow. As we continue with our work, let us work with dedication and responsibility to make Zimbabwe the might nation that is has always been. Together we will complete the change. And as we do, let us remember the psalmist words in this anthem:
"O God, we beseech Thee to bless our native land;
The land of our fathers bestowed upon us all;
From Zambezi to Limpopo
May leaders be exemplary;
And may the Almighty protect and bless our land"
Thank you,
Mhiripiri, Dominic
President, Zimbabwe Model Government
Cholera and the State of our Health
By Stanford Chihuri
Her Majesty, Honorable members of the presidium, Honorable members, Mr. Speaker Sir,
Fellow Zimbabweans, I salute you for the unyielding stance and steadfast spirit you are maintaining in this process of extricating our beloved country from its current disgraceful quagmire. In doing so, it is essential for us to understand that the best resources any country can possess are its healthy citizens. The outbreak of cholera is the latest blow to shake Zimbabwe's health sector. Cholera left the country devastated beginning August last year. The epidemic began in Harare, aggravating the economic hardship of the nation in its entirety. To date, an ailing economy and subsequent acute drug shortages exacerbated the situation leaving more than 4000 people dead and over 92000 infected. The turn of the year saw an exponential decrease in national weekly reports from above 9000 in December to about 2000 in March. However, cholera cases are still persistently high in Harare. It is fundamental that we remain vigilant on the disease's ripple effect emanating from Harare, the epicenter of the crisis.
The main cholera causative agent Vibrio Choleri bacteria, successfully thrives in dirty, stenchful places; sewers and septic tanks among other areas. Incessant bursting of sewer systems and unavailability of safe water in most of our high density suburbs in Harare and Chitungwiza triggered the epidemic. Lack of water treatment chemicals coupled with dilapidated infrastructure resulted in rampant cuts of the contaminated water; high sanitation risks. Residents in more than 70% of Harare's suburbs heavily relied on either makeshift water sources or canister-ferried water from other areas during dry periods. Uncollected refuse and general ubiquitous litter significantly facilitated the onset of the disease.
As people travelled, the disease spread to uninfected parts of the country making the epidemic inevitable. In most cases, patients would lose up to 20 liters of water a day; an alarming health hazard. Because of the severity of the cases, our doctors and health providers had to administer the 0.9% saline drip to victims. Sooner than expected, drip shortages marred the process, since we import most of the drips. The oral rehydration solution (ORS) temporarily alleviated the situation in some cases but there was a widespread ignorance on its concoction. More so, members of the public had to use water from unprotected sources to prepare the solution, worsening the situation.
The government, through the ministry of health should be dedicated and determined to set up the necessary parameters and structures to combat challenges like cholera and other potential epidemics. As such, it is my responsibility in this model government to mandate sweeping policies that enhance the efficacy of health delivery in this country. Mr. Speaker Sir, the challenges that my ministry (…and the nation at large) face are real and go beyond cholera. Therefore I call upon all the involved parties to work hand in glove in policy prescription and formulation for the betterment of our country. I thank you,
May God Bless Zimbabwe
Hon. Chihuri, Stanford
Secretary of Health
Celebration of the International Women's Day
By Constancia Mavodza
Her Majesty, His Excellency, The Right Hon. Prime Mister, Hon. Vice President, Speaker of the House and fellow Secretaries of State. I thank you for the honor and responsibility bestowed upon me as Secretary of Women, Youth and Gender Affairs and will humbly mark my post by honoring the recently passed International Women's Day. This is a day that reminds us that the empowerment of women is tied to the safety, security and prosperity of the world.
This vibrant model government is filled with hope and promise that we can act to make a change for Zimbabwe. Through our innovative ideas we can be the change, and for this reason I am pleased to share this experience with you. As a model government that is well endowed with remarkable women of great talents and endeavors, I believe it is our duty as the future mothers of Zimbabwe, for we are already daughters and sisters. It is imbued within us, to be the driving force in implementing both equality and equity for women.
Our government must strive to address the issues of violence against women. The abuse we face as we struggle with societal tribulations- disease, abuse, economic meltdown. We carry society's burdens it's an imposed role. Tradition acts against us, forcing us to be inferior to men depriving us our rights. This is the moment when our government must stand to alleviate this setback, through equal sharing of responsibilities between both men and women. After all, behind every great man is a greater woman.
The strength of women goes way back, from Ambuya Nehanda to present day Mai Mujuru and in-between them are the grandmothers taking care of their AIDS orphaned grandchildren, there are the mothers walking several kilometers a day to fend for their families. There are also the mothers enduring all sorts of abuse for the sake of their children. We have young girls still being betrothed to old men; girls denied an education purely based on their gender. Evidently, there is a commonality in the problems women face and without a doubt Zimbabwe is still festering an oppressive culture. I invite you all to join me in fighting this dishonor, not only for us but to mark our place in the world. The enduring and persevering nature of women can be put to better use and we will travel on the path that ensures this is so.
The Zimbabwean government has a responsibility to promote gender equality, empower women and eliminate gender-based violence. As a model government we will play our role and in every way possible ensure that this is so. This is a time for transformation and transition and on this day, as we come together to celebrate our women, let us move into the future with a positive attitude to work for the enduring change of gender equality.
Mavodza, Constanica
Honorable Secretary of Women, Youth and Gender Affairs
Worker's Day Address
By Wendy Magoronga
Honorable President and members of the executive, honorable ministers, ladies and gentlemen
Today, we commemorate yet again that day in 1886 when workers decided to improve the undesirable conditions they were being subjected to. Worker’s Day has traditional been a day for workers and their organizations to reflect on their achievements, address their problems, gather strength and plan for the future. Today, we seek to do just that.
This day should be a celebration of the social and economic achievements of workers all over the world. As a country, however, we are faced with more problems than there is cause for celebration. Our unemployment rate is well over 80%. Brain drain has crippled the employment sector, as professionals and students leave the country every day in their hundreds in search of favorable conditions. The work force that was once the pride of our nation has been reduced to groups of economic refugees doing menial labor. And of those who remain, every day has become a constant battle as inflation renders their wages useless, therefore forcing them to resort to undesirable, and in most cases, illegal means of survival. The national labor force has dwindled to alarming levels due to the collapse of vocational training centers and the tertiary education system. These, ladies and gentlemen, are but a fraction of the problems currently facing the Zimbabwean worker, which we are all aware of.
However, we should decide to dwell on the past only to learn lessons from our history. We should all chose to remember why May 1st became historic. We should focus on the reminder that united as one entity; we can change our situation and make history. Today offers us an opportunity to tap into the resources that we have and find a way to improve our conditions. Yes, our resources are limited, but Zimbabweans are renown for being a hardworking, innovative and driven people. As a nation, we embody the ability to make the little we have go a long way.
With the current global economic crisis, we cannot pin all our hopes on outsiders solving our problems. We all have a part to play in reviving the prestige of being part of the Zimbabwean work force. The problems facing the workers can only be solved through collective efforts. The Ministry of Labor and Public Works’ first task therefore, is to engage in a massive campaign of investment in the economy. One way would be through the privatization of a significant potion of parastatals. This would effect market competition, industrial development and redevelopment. As the market improves, labors statistics would start to improve and the issue of brain drain would be addressed.
The country’s other great resource is the Zimbabwean community in the diaspora. In response to the increasing value of knowledge, the ministry should set up a diaspora network. Countries like Mexico, India and Armenia have benefited from such networks. This network would serve as a channel for brain exchange by allowing people in the diaspora to participate in the debate on development strategies, and also serve to create opportunities for people in the diaspora to come back and start businesses. This would liberalize the economy at the micro level by creating equal economic opportunities and removing entry barriers. This also utilizes new types of diaspora-backed projects, not just humanitarian relief, but the transfer of business skills to help the indigenous business people enter the world market as this would provide them with an excellent business network. As a result, a support system for independent business associations that are not linked to the political structure of the ruling elite would be created. With time, these organizations will become the main driver for further domestic reforms and assimilation into the global economy.
As a people, we have been through so much that the natural instinct may to give up. However, this is the time to unite as a nation, pool our resources and tackle our problems. The government has a responsibility to start taking steps to improve the conditions of workers in the country and create an environment that is conducive for our professionals to thrive. As we join the rest of the workers around the world in this celebration of workers‘ unity, I call upon all Zimbabweans, both at home and in the diaspora, to unite for the common purpose of improving the working conditions in our country. These are the times to reflect on what we have been through, and draw inspiration from the strength that has sustained us throughout this trying time. This is the time to tap into our powers of innovation. As we commemorate this day, let us take up the responsibility to help preserve the honor of our workers. I salute the hardworking people of this country for being able to find a way to weather the storm, and urge them to hold on to the hope they have, and I believe we will emerge from this trying period stronger than we were before.
May God richly bless you all for your hard work and your dedication.
Hon. Wendy Magoronga
Secretary of Labor and Public Works
State of agriculture: An important analogy
By Shalom Chausarira
My fellow colleagues:
Agriculture used to be the heart of Zimbabwe's economy. It has since been reduced to nothing such that when people talk about how worthwhile Agriculture was, it all seems like a fairy-tale. "The Bread-basket" of Southern Africa has crumbled into "The Golgotha". Throw a stone randomly and you are 100% likely to hit a starving person. This situation did not arise overnight.. It was a direct consequence of leaders who rushed into action before all consequences were discussed. My ministry strongly agrees with the government's wish to empower its people by giving them land. What it does not agree with is the process that was taken, the negligence of resettled farmers that followed, and multiple land-ownership.
The heart, under no circumstance, can never pump more blood then it's supplied with. The same applies to Agriculture. Take the 2008-9 Agricutural season for instance. When the season began, only 1% of the required fertilizer and 19% of corn seed were available. With such low inputs, it was evident from the onset that the yield was to be going to be exteremely low. It is projected that by the end of this month, the number of people in need of food aid will be more than 7.5 million, yet the goverment shuns food aid and claims it can feed it's people. At the moment, reports show that, millions of people are going for days without food. People have since abandoned farming and resorted to fishing, gold panning and of course, illegal migration. They only value their land because in it are the remains of their loved ones who, 60% of the time, died of starvation.
Going back to the heart analogy, the heart cannot work independently to make the whole body work. It needs other systems; the endocrine and nervous system. What the Zimbabwean government needs to realise is that isolation from the international community will not get the country far.. We can not solve our problems by starting a war of words with countries of The West, or by looking East. Our solution lies in accepting our mistakes and sifting through the advice that we get from other countries. This is when the land quetion comes into play. The goverment rushed to grab land from the hands of the white man, yet it did not have a back-up plan, or if did, it's yet to be unveiled. Of course, the white man left, but one thing he did not leave was his knowlegde of Agriculture. The government has failed to do much much about it. Drought has been prevalent for over seven years now. The goverment should by now have figured a way to deal with it, but all it does is tell people to "work hard". Agricultural research is no longer a priority, yet it's one of the answers to our current situation. There sure are qualified people who can come up with drought tolerant seeds, ways to improve livestock production, irrigation methods compatible with our crippled economy and ways to improve commercial farming which has since dwindled. If the country cannot do it on it's own, other countries can chip in. That's what the international community is for.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is just a touch at the surface of what my ministry is working on. Thank you for your time. If you have any suggestions, they are welcome anytime.
Thank you once again.
Hon. Minister of Agriculture
Shalom Chausarira
Africa Day Statement – Prime Minister
By Sibongile Malunga
Your Majesty Amai Mano. Honorable members of the executive and the council of ministers. Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to commemorate with you today the 46th Africa Day celebrations.
This day and celebration gives us the opportunity, as Africans, to stop and take a look at where we have come from and re-evaluate ourselves and our goals. When the African Union was born, people were inspired by the dream of a united and proud Africa. However, as current events demonstrate, we seem to be more politically and economically fragmented and disunited than ever before. From civil wars, dictatorships and genocides to runaway inflations and poverty, the demoralizing conditions sometimes seem to have assumed permanency on the continent. What is Africa really doing wrong? I am of the view that the problem lies mainly with the leadership systems and the attitude of most Africans.
There is need for a new generation of leaders who are sufficiently offended by the anarchy and inhumane conditions and who themselves take the conscious decision to effect change. Our very own current Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, is one such kind of leader who has fought determinedly to bring about such change. The establishment of governments of national unity in Zimbabwe and Kenya, through the mediation of other African countries in the African Union and SADC, speaks of how fellow African nations are working together to try to overcome the various challenges in their fight for peace, stability and multi-party democracy.
Africans need to cast their eyes beyond the past and focus on the present with its trials and tribulations. While slavery and colonization are indeed a stark realities of the past where people were wronged - it is now the time to forgive and reconcile. I believe Africans must discard the view that the face of Africa should be restricted to black people and that the title to land must be reserved for "sons and daughters of the soil." This only serves to fuel racial tensions. Instead, Africans should embrace multiculturalism because we can learn a lot and benefit culturally by having people from other parts of the world in our society.
A collective spirit is the first step towards overcoming our marginalization. The widespread xenophobic attacks in South Africa early in 2008 were undoubtedly a disgrace to the continent and should never be repeated. We must continue to live together with other Africans as good neighbors. I think it would be great if African countries would open their borders to each other and have a visa-free Africa. That would really improve trade and communication within Africa.
We need to see an Africa of hope. I believe Africa is not an object of pity that will always be dependent on aid from major world powers and the mercies of others. Africa has got so much untapped potential for growth. If we can find ways of closing the information and digital gap between Africa and the rest of the world, Africa can gain access to information, knowledge and ideas that drive development. One way of doing this may be to call up on all those who have left to come back and reconnect with the continent.
With Africa drowning in many developmental problems, there are a lot of Afro-pessimism so dominant out there. But we have no reason to be ashamed to be African. Instead, we should try to proclaim the positive aspects of Africa without glossing over the negative.
Let us unite to effect change and rebirth.
I thank you.
Sibongile Malunga,
Rt. Hon. Prime Minister