The people deserve your respect: President Mnangagwa
2 min read
By Margaret Kamba
ZANU PF First Secretary and President His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has challenged the newly sworn in Cabinet to prioritise developing their country.
This he said during an induction meeting held in Harare emphasizing the importance of the masses from which the ruling Party acquires its strength.
This induction workshop which is one of its kind, comes at a time when President Mnangagwa is keen on delivering vision 2030. His selection criteria for the 2023 Cabinet therefore based on the targets to be achieved will see results earlier than expected.
He added that it is important to learn from case studies of other countries and see how these models can be tailored to suit Zimbabwe.
“As I stated in my Inauguration Address, the 2023 Harmonised General Elections are behind us. The Second Term of the 2nd Republic must, therefore, reflect our determination to leapfrog the socio-economic development, modernisation and industrialisation of our country, through high impact results.
As we do so, I exhort us to take pride in that we are Zimbabweans, a unique and resilient people, descendents of the Great Munhumutapa. Although we are under the albatross of the heinous illegal sanctions, this must never limit us. We must have a mentality that this is normal and achieve even greater success. “The innovation and ingenuity that has seen us realise unprecedented results, across all sectors, should be scaled up,”
President Mnangagwa said.
“Zimbabwe should develop through benchmarking Government services against those of other jurisdictions, cognisant of the adage that, “kugara nhaka huona dzevamwe”. However, we must remain true to who we are, as a people. Lessons can be learnt from elsewhere, but only adapted to enrich the realisation of our own vision and national priorities.
Our people deserve quality, affordable and accessible services. Under our watch, as Members of the Executive more of our people must be taken out of poverty into prosperity, especially the vulnerable, women and youth.
To achieve this, servant leadership, continuous learning and the responsive implementation of policies and projects remain integral. Further, we must work with a great sense of urgency, unity of purpose and seamless synergies. Unity among Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and senior officials is critical. You have to complement each other.”
President Mnangagwa took time to remind his new Cabinet of the basic principles of hunhu/ubuntu which emphasize on respect for others. He was quick to say the negative behaviour of the Ministers will reflect badly on everyone else.
“This country belongs to the people and not to us. In whatever we do, let us respect the people, especially elder people, because their perception of Government is based on who they come into contact with. Hence, if you are arrogant, they will think that we are all arrogant; personally, I am not arrogant. You must be humble and simple. Never abuse the people.”
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