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1445: The President ends his speech.

1444: “As we go and vote let’s be mindful of the gains of the liberation struggle and defend our motherland and values of our unitary state and loyalty to the revolution.”

1443: “Zim is endowed with numerous resources including wild game and forest, so let us exploit these and embrace each other peacefully, in peace despite our political differences.”

He invites investors to exploit opportunities in Zimbabwe and assures them that global capital is safe in Zimbabwe.

1442: We can say we have defeated sanctions based on the level of development we are registering, our economy has been growing at an average of 5% in the last five years, the sanctions have made us more innovative.

1441: He says the focus on infrastructure development remains a key issue for the Second Republic and this will be scaled up going forward despite the presence of sanctions.

1440: President Mnangagwa says he was impressed by the involvement of youth engineers in the expansion project, especially women engineers.

1439: “Zimbabweans must be proud and walk with their heads up, this country has resources and we must harness technology and innovation to exploit these.”

1437: He urges the masses to vote in their large numbers for Zanu PF come 23 August, and defend their motherland. He appeals to the youth especially to remain patriotic to their country and embrace the values of the revolution as bequeathed to them by the freedom fighters.

1435: He now turns to the concerns of locals in Hwange. He says the pensioners here would be assisted, including getting title deeds for the houses they have occupied over the years with no legal ownership.

1430: Am so happy, ndafara, says the President as he reflects on the successful implementation and completion of ambitious power projects.

1425: Says Zimbabwe remains vigilant to further expanding its capacity to assist the region, which has supported the country in times of shortage, and that going forward, Zimbabwe would seek to exploit the energy exports gap.

1422: In particular, President Mnangagwa commends Zesa and the Ministry of Energy for remaining focused while the project was being implemented.

1420: The President says the commissioning event is a grand event for Zimbabwe to move forward in fostering its own development.

He commends all stakeholders for ensuring the success of the project.

1418: “I am happy that as we draw towards polls the environment is peaceful, shame to those who want to see us commit violence.”

He commends other parties for also preaching peace.

1417: “As I always say nyika inovakwa, igotongwa nevene vayo, we too are masters of our destiny and no one can tell us what to do. We are a peaceful nation, a friend to all and enemy to none.”

1415: “We now say, for now, bye-bye load shedding. Of course, as our economy grows we shall expand our generation capacity to meet the growing production needs.”

1410: “We have also developed and modernised our agriculture sector and we are now food secure for the past three years. Now we are energy sufficient.”

1408: “These are our friends and those who imposed sanctions didn’t believe we could develop at this pace without their help.”

1407: “Today we are commissioning Hwange 7 and 8 as a result of the meeting. This is the Second Republic, which delivers,” says the President

1405: He reminisces his state visit to China in 2018, where the breakthrough to financing the Hwange Units 7 and 8 Expansion Project was made. Other projects include the US$100 million new Parliament building in Mt Hampden, a US$153 million loan to upgrade RGM International Airport, which has been recently commissioned.

1404: He begins by paying tribute to traditional leaders as custodians of communities and expresses gratitude for being allowed to engage with the masses, saying Hwange has always been so dear in his regard.

1403: The President welcomes the distinguished delegates and the public, and says he is elated to officiate at this momentous occasion.

14:00 President Mnangagwa now takes to the podium and the large crowd erupts with excitement dancing along with the President to Jah Prayzah’s Kutonga Kwaro song. He chants Zanu PF slogans with masses responding along, clapping and whistling.

1355: As we head into harmonized elections let’s vote for our President as the sole candidate. MPs and Clrs will ensure the continuation of projects he initiated. Let’s take heed of the President’s call for peace, we want peace.

1354: No one can build our country besides us. As Zimbabweans we are educated so let’s put our heads together and build our country.

1353: Successful implementation of the project would not have been possible without the astute leadership of the Guest of Honour.

1352: Utilities such as this power plant are essential building blocks towards the attainment of Vision 2030.

1350: VP Chiwenga starts by saying the guest of honour has come to open Unit 7 and 8 but we are in the campaign period, so we will combine the two.

“The project ensures key enablers to economic development.”

1347: He invites the VP to make remarks and introduce President who is the guest.

1345: He congratulates Zesa for completing the project under difficult circumstances. Local engineers have been empowered and our partnership with China will always remain. These new units represent our collective determination to provide efficient energy to Zimbabwe.

13:40 Energy and Power Development Minister Zhemu Soda says the project has changed the face of energy in Zimbabwe.

Groundbreaking of the project was done in June 2018 and exactly five years later it has been completed as promised.
Today His Excellency is not only commissioning an energy source but giving you a better life.

1330: An official from Sino Hydro, the contractor which partnered Zesa in building of the power station and other projects says the company committed US$1.5 billion for the project which faced challenges such as Covid-19, cash flow and logistical challenges but soldiered on due to shared determination.

1320: Hwange chair Dr Sydney Gata takes to the podium to give the project overview.

Says Zesa has ordered 3 million solar panels as the power utility plans to roll out a massive connection of the country starting in January next year

1310: The President and his delegation are now at the Hwange Colliery Stadium where official commissioning proceedings will be done

Matabeleland North provincial affairs and devolution minister Richard Moyo is now at the podium to deliver welcome remarks.  He says this has been the longest week for a Presidential visit in the province.

The President was in Nkayi on Sunday, proceeded to Binga on Monday, Bulawayo yesterday and today in Hwange.

1204: President Mnangagwa and his delegation have finished a closed-door briefing with engineers, technical experts and senior government officials. He is now conducting a tour of the completed Hwange Units 7 and 8 expansion project.

1156: President Mnangagwa has arrived in Hwange to lead proceedings in the official commissioning of the US$1,5 billion Hwange Power Station Units 7 and 8 Expansion Project.

The two units have 300MW capacity each, and have been built through a loan support from the People’s Republic of China.

President Mnangagwa is being accompanied by his deputy, Dr Constantino Chiwenga, Finance and Economic Development Minister Prof Mthuli Ncube, Energy and Power Development Minister, Zhemu Soda, Agriculture Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka, Mat North and Devolution Minister, Richard Moyo, Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda, senior Government officials, Zesa executives
The investment is one of the massive signature development projects implemented under the Second Republic, which are already impacting positively on local communities and the country as a whole.