By Tendai Chisiri
Zimbabwe celebrated 5th Anniversary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Anti-Sanctions Day in Bulawayo with His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa launching the Online National Anti-Sanctions Petition Friday
Anti-Sanctions Day celebrated on the 25th of October every year was set aside by our progressive and revolutionary brothers and sisters in the SADC Region, to denounce and call for the unconditional removal of the illegal sanctions imposed by some Western countries on our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe says President Mnangagwa.
Addressing the gathering, President Mnangagwa said on behalf of the people and Government of Zimbabwe, he expresses profound gratitude to the SADC Region, broader African continent and other progressive countries as well as the United Nations, who continue to stand in solidarity with Zimbabwe against these illegal sanctions. “Your unwavering solidarity is a source of our hope and resilience”, he said.
“It is a well-documented fact that the unjust sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe continue to have far-reaching consequences across the strata and lives of our people. Sanctions are strangling our economy, undermining our right to self-determination, and compromising the achievement of the collective development aspirations of our country”, he added.
“Further, they have limited our ability to trade freely, restricted access to international financial support, stifled investment and reduced our ability to adequately invest in social services. This has, in-turn, negatively affected the lives and livelihoods of ordinary citizens, particularly women, children and the vulnerable. Illegal sanctions are impairing our quest to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
In the face of these realities which threaten our sovereignty and integrity as a nation, it is our individual and collective duty to re-double our efforts to increase production, productivity and transformational projects, for the prosperity of our motherland, Zimbabwe”, he stated.
“I salute the resolve of the people of this great nation which can never be broken. Our unity, resilience, resourcefulness and fortitude will ultimately break the grip and albatross of sanctions. Together, we are overcoming the negative impact of these unjust and illegal measures; we are emerging more united, focused, hardworking and innovative as we build a stronger economy and society”, Mnangagwa said.
“The people of our motherland, both here at home and in the diaspora are a testament of the indisputable truth in our national development philosophy that indeed ‘Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo.’
Fellow Zimbabweans;
Today, we amplify our voice against the imposition of illegal sanctions, by launching a digitally enabled National Anti-Sanctions Petition Programme”, he revealed.
“The initiative enables citizens to digitally append their signatures on a petition to express their rejection of sanctions through online platforms. Media houses and practitioners, including other anti-sanctions lobby groups, are called upon to partner this initiative. The fast-paced convergence of the broadcasting sector, including community radio stations and ICTs should see the increase of access to anti-sanctions information across both rural and urban areas. It is the duty of all of us to raise awareness on the negative effects of illegal sanctions on our country and people”, he implores.
“Guided by the theme “Embracing Innovation Towards Vision 2030: A Relentless Fight Against Illegal Sanctions,” let us pursue new prospects for accelerated socio-economic growth. Undoubtedly, heritage-based knowledge systems, climate resilient agriculture, renewable energy, industrialisation, advanced health care, as well as research and development are key to achieving Vision 2030. As such, collaboration and partnerships with progressive countries should be scaled up towards building a future driven by ingenuity, new technologies, science and research”, Mnangagwa urges.
“In doing so, it is critically important that we leverage our rich natural resources, skills base and cultural heritage as we modernise and industrialise our motherland, Zimbabwe”, he said.
“The youth are our source of hope and the future of our nation. They are the innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders of tomorrow. The ZANU PF Government shall, therefore, continue to empower them with the requisite skills, resources and tools to drive innovation and economic growth”, he added.
In the same vein, the broadening of favourable measures and conditions that promote women empowerment for the realisation of sustainable economic development remain critically important.
“Our strength lies in our unity, harmony and mutually beneficial relations within the comity of nations. As a member of SADC, Zimbabwe is committed to working closely with our regional partners for the collective good and shared prosperity”, he stated.
“Despite the existence of the heinous and inhumane illegal sanctions, my Administration will continue to pursue the policy of engagement and re-engagement. Zimbabwe is a friend to all and an enemy to none”.
” We join the region in commemorating this 5th SADC Anti-Sanctions Day, Zimbabwe strongly condemns the hegemonic tendencies and hypocrisy of those nations which continue to think that “might is right” and brutely violate international law and the United Nations Charter without shame or remorse”, he revealed.
“On behalf of Government and our ruling ZANU PF Party, I extend appreciation for the solidarity, support and principled stance taken against sanctions, by my fellow Zimbabweans, who have also remained united and peace-loving”.
“Your unflinching resolve, determination and hard honest work, as well as the unwavering commitment you always demonstrate to build our country, is inspirational. “Nyika inovakwa inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo.”
“Well-done Zimbabwe. Let us kkeep marching forward to Vision 2030”, he applauded the citizens.
“With these remarks, it is now my honour and privilege to declare the Online National Anti-Sanctions Petition officially launched and to proceed to append my signature on the platform”, he concluded.
News Sport Online 