By Shadreck Gurenje

ZANU PF First Secretary and President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa has said land tenure security is critically important to Zimbabwe’s economic growth and development.

Giving his remarks at the handover of new land title deeds to beneficiaries of the land reform programme at Precabe Farm in Kwekwe, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said land in Zimbabwe is an indispensable economic enabler to the attainment of national vision and more so agriculture is at the epicentre of the country’s transformative Agenda.

“Land tenure security is critically important to Zimbabwe’s economic growth and development. It encourages investment, improves agricultural production and productivity, and lifts many out of poverty into prosperity.

“The land in our great motherland is an indispensable economic enabler to the attainment of our Vision, more so that agriculture is at the epicentre of our national transformative Agenda.

“Further, the land holds deep historical significance. Our forebears fought tirelessly for the right to keep this land in the First Chimurenga. The Second Chimurenga reclaimed this land in 1980 when we won our Independence. The Land Reform Programme, undertaken in 2000, remains a cornerstone of our national identity and an essential pillar for our economic independence. We fought the liberation war to get back our land “ivhu rave nevene varo, vene vevhu vave nevhu ravo”. The land is irreversibly with its people, and the people irreversibly with the land,”said President Mnangagwa.

President Mnangagwa also reiterated that the land Reform Programme is irreversible and under the second republic government will empower the beneficiaries of the land reform programme by giving them tenure that will unlock the value of their land.

“The land Reform Programme is, therefore, irreversible. Our Constitution binds us to strengthen the Land Tenure System of 99-year Leases and A1/A2 permits. The Constitution, in sections 289, 293 and 295 gives 3 rights to every Zimbabwean citizen to acquire, hold, occupy, use, transfer or dispose of agricultural land. Land tenure security is critically important to Zimbabwe’s economic growth and development.

“It encourages investment, improves agricultural production and productivity, and lifts many out of poverty into prosperity. With secure land tenure, our farmers can access credit facilities, purchase inputs, and hire labour, ultimately increasing their yields and incomes.

“ As such, the importance of more secure, bankable and transferable land tenure cannot be overstated. Such a tenure document is the ultimate empowerment tool for our farmers, especially war veterans and their children. The Title Deed, which my Government has developed for issuance to farmers, will preserve security and spur investment for accelerated livelihoods upliftment and economic development.

 “My Administration has, therefore, made a bold decision to empower the beneficiaries of the land reform programme by giving them tenure that will unlock the value of our land, allowing it to be used as collateral,” said President Mnangagwa.

The Head of State and government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence forces also take the opportunity to salute the Veterans of the Liberation struggle who sacrificed their lives during the liberation struggle to win the independence and land back to the majority.