ED’s maiden SONA commended
President Emmerson Mnangagwa delivers his maiden State of the Nation Address in Harare yesterday

President Emmerson Mnangagwa delivers his maiden State of the Nation Address in Harare yesterday

Nyemudzai Kakore Herald Correspondent—
Members of Parliament across the political divide and development partners yesterday commended the State of the Nation Address delivered by President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday, saying it captured the socio-economic situation prevailing in the country and reflected on measures Government was taking to address the challenges. Addressing a joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate, President Mnangagwa put forward measures to resuscitate the economy, shun corruption, re-engagement with the international community as well as the holding of credible, free and fair elections.

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This was President Mnangagwa’s maiden State of the Nation Address. zanu-pf Chief Whip Cde Lovemore Matuke welcomed the President’s speech saying the onus was now on everyone to implement what the Head of State had said. “The President has laid out a path that should lead to economic growth. He touched on various issues that include fighting corruption that has caused untold suffering to Zimbabweans and the need to attract investment to create jobs,” he said.

“Now that he has laid out his plans, the ball is in everyone’s court to ensure that we implement what he has said. Everyone should play their part.” MDC-T House of Assembly chief whip Mr Innocent Gonese welcomed the President’s address and called for the implementation of measures enunciated in the statement. On corruption Mr Gonese said culprits should be nabbed and arrested without selective application of the law.

“In the past sometimes we had a lot of flowery language, the good sound bite, but in terms of actual implementation, it was found to be lacking. For me, the proof of the pudding is in the eating,” he said.

“Going forward, for us to be able to turn around the economy and re-engage with the international community, we must deal with constitutionalism and to have a trajectory on how free and fair elections are to be achieved starting with tolerance which the President made reference to.” President of the Chiefs Council Chief Fortune Charumbira said traditional leaders celebrated President Managagwa’s consistency as this demonstrated his seriousness in changing the face of the nation.

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He said his stance on disposing non-performing parastatals that have been bleeding the fiscus, and measures to empower the small scale miners must be commended. The Southern African Parliamentary Support Trust executive director Mr John Makamure said President Mnangagwa’s commitment to fix the fiscal deficit which is the biggest threat to economic recovery, will pave the path for economic boom.

“The President should be given ample time so that his pronouncements materialise. It is till early to make any conclusions that the pronouncements are not being implemented.” Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Finance and Economic Development chairperson Cde David Chapfika said the address was spot on in seeking to correct the misfortunes that have been bedeviling Government in the way it conducts its business transactions.

“As far as job creation is concerned, l think he made it clear that he is committed to the promotion of the productive sector of the economy and that will stimulate the mining, manufacturing agricultural and other sectors. It is those sectors which grow the economy and ensure that jobs are created,” he said.

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