The Sunday News
Vusumuzi Dube, Senior Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has said the divisive falsehoods being peddled by the country’s supremacists will never see the light of day noting that Zimbabweans should take lessons from past heroes who showed resilience in their gallant fight against oppressive forces.
Delivering his Heroes Day speech on Monday, the President said Zimbabweans should now close ranks by uniting, in peace, harmony and with resolute patriotism and self love to chart a brighter future and success was inevitable.
He said basing from the firm foundation laid by the country’s yester year heroes Zimbabwe’s future was bright.
“Today we are holding our commemorations against the background of renewed glaring, and unjustified attacks by our perennial detractors, both inside and outside our borders.
“Let us however, not lose heart or be discouraged but look back to our rich history and draw lessons from our departed, who since the 1890s, united and showed resilience in their gallant fight against oppressive forces,” said the President.
He said the truth will always triumph over lies, and good over evil.
President Mnangagwa revealed that the government was in the process of also honouring the heroes and heroines of the early years of resistance.
Cabinet recently endorsed the mounting of a statue to honour Mbuya Nehanda in Harare.
“Other heroes and heroines from the early wars of resistance will also be honoured in a similar manner Among them, General Mtshane Khumalo, who commanded the Imbizo Regiment, under King Lobengula, that defeated the Allan Wilson Patrol at the Battle of Pupu on 10 December, 1893.
“Other distinguished heroes and heroines of the First Chimurenga/ Umvukela such as Sekuru Kaguvi, Chaminuka, Mkwati, Queen Lozikeyi Khumalo, Chinengundu, Mashayamombe, Mgandani Dlodlo, Chiwashira, Muchecheterwa, Chingaira Makoni, and Mapondera, among others, will be accorded appropriate recognition,” said President Mnangagwa.
He said from the Second Chimurenga/ Umvukela, the late General Josiah Magama Tongogara and General Alfred Nikita Mangena, Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Cde Joshua Mqhabuko Nkomo and Cde Simon Vengesai Muzenda, among others, will also be honoured as the country moves towards the documentation of the story of our liberation struggle and the associated historical heritage.
The President said the 40th Heroes Day Anniversary comes at a time when the 2nd Republic is accelerating national development projects.
He revealed that through robust modern and innovative synergies between the ministries of Energy and Mines, Zimbabwe is on track to emerge as a net exporter of energy by 2023.
“The Second Republic’s vision of a private sector-led industrial development is gaining momentum. In this regard, the Zimbabwe National Industrialisation Policy Framework with its focus on the resuscitation of industry, establishment of new industries, export development, innovation and rural industry systems is beginning to bear fruit.
“The translation of knowledge into goods and services being spearheaded by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development through Education 5.0 will further accelerate sustainable socio-economic modernisation and transformation,” said the President.
He further called on farmers to take full advantage of the recapitalisation of the Command Agriculture programme, dam construction, irrigation development and mechanisation programmes which the government is undertaking in partnership with the private sector.
“Under-utilised land identified through the land audit will be allocated in line with Government Policy. To further stimulate productivity, a multi-pronged Agriculture Recovery Plan is being rolled out.
“This will result in increased productivity of maize, wheat, soya beans and traditional grains. Similarly, the implementation of the Pfumvudza Concept is progressing well and will see a transformation to food security at household level,” said the President.
Regarding the Covid19 pandemic the President said the government will ccontinue to scale up testing, contact tracing and isolating those who have tested positive.
