Peace, harmony and unity are key towards turning around the economic fortunes of the country, ZANU PF First Secretary and President, Cde ED Mnangagwa has said.
President Mnangagwa urged Zimbabweans to remain focused on the development agenda while giving his appreciation speech at South Mining Company in Hwange. The mining sector has been earmarked as one of the key sectors that will turn around the country’s fortunes.
“We need peace, we need harmony and we need unity amongst ourselves to achieve our development goals. These things cannot be imported. It can only be done
“In Zimbabwe, in particular here in Matabeleland North, there is potential to produce enough fuel for the entire country if we remain focused. The technologies, skills and competencies may not be with us but there are there in the market, we should be able to attract those competencies, skills and global finance to assist us grow and modernise our economy. I am pleased so far I can I see the enthusiasm in your eyes, your speech and the way you walk that indeed you are beginning to walk with your heads up not down.”
He added that it is not the mining sector that will develop the country but other sectors as well.
“I have no doubt that, yes of course this country cannot develop on the basis of the mining sector alone. No. The agriculture sector. Today we are importing food. We have food insecurity in the country. Yes we have had three successive droughts but we must plan in such a manner that whether there is drought or no drought we have enough food in the country,” President Mnangagwa said.
“We must have enough number of hectares in the country under irrigation so that whether there is drought or no drought because of climate change we still must be able to feed ourselves. I can assure you the programme that is unfolding in that sector, in three or so seasons, we should reach the goal.”
President Mnangagwa said it is an embarrassment for Zimbabwe to be a food importer.
“It is a shame for us to be importing food when we have agricultural land. We have an excess of 10 water bodies and only 10 percent is being used. Ninety percent not being used. We now have a programme to develop smart agriculture so that we become independent,” said the President.
“If we remain focused the issue of importation of electricity from outside Zimbabwe will be a thing of the past. Because we have enough resources in the country which can give us enough electricity that we need to drive to drive our industries.”
President Mnangagwa urged the youths to be patriotic and be involved in the development agenda set
“We have a highly educated young generation. They must be patriotic to their country and contribute the development of where you want to take the country.”