Mnangagwa empowers beneficiaries of the land reform program with title deeds as the liberation struggle is irreversible

By Tendai Chisiri

At the handover ceremony of new land title deeds to the beneficiaries of the Land Reform Programe His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa stated that the event marks a significant milestone in the nation’s ongoing journey towards the attainment of Vision 2030 on Friday.

” It is with a great sense of pride and joy that we gather here on this historic day to highlight another accomplishment of the Second Republic. I welcome you all to Precabe Farm”, he said.

The ceremony held at his farm in Kwekwe shows how the Governmentof Zimbabwe is charting a new transformative and inclusive development agenda encapsulated in the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1). This is consistent with the collective aspirations and determination of the people of the  great Nation to become an Empowered and Prosperous Upper Middle Income Society by 2030.

“It is through this relentless pursuit that we are determined to deliver broad-based transformation, wealth creation and provision of economic opportunities for all Zimbabweans, leaving no one and no place behind”, Mnangagwa revealed.

“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”, he added

The Land Reform Programme, undertaken in 2000, remains a cornerstone of the national identity and an essential pillar for our economic independence according to the President.

“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. The land Reform Programme us, therefore, irreversible”, he highlighted.

“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 rights to every Zimbabwean citizen to acquire, hold, occupy, use, transfer or dispose of agricultural land.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”

“As we undertake this noble transformation, the war veterans, whose sacrifice won our independence and the land, must not be left behind.We also take cognisance of women, youths and people with disabilities. The need to safeguard our land and preserve the gains of the liberation struggle is paramount”, he stated.

“In this regard, land transfers shall be amongst qualifying Zimbabweans.I urge all financial institutions to embrace these deeds, inorder to improve farmer access to finance and capital,which is critical for production. Let me reiterate my Government’s commitment to ensuring that land distribution is fair, transparent, and beneficial to all Zimbabweans”.

“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”, he implored.

“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”

“The handover of these Title Deeds is a testament to our commitment to empower Zimbabweans – the estimated 23 500 A2 farmers and estimated 360 000 A1 farmers.As you are aware, the land vests in the President on behalf of the state. The state is, therefore, transferring the land to each holder of a valid land tenure document. This new Tenure System will be the ultimate anchor of our land reform programme”, he revealed.

He challenged the recipients of this new tenure document to use this to defend the revolution,unlock investment and increase production, productivity, profitability, viability and sustainability to accelerate agricultural transformation.