Zimpapers Logo

1107: President Mnangagwa has just arrived at Kwekwe General  Hospital where he is expected to receive his second Covid 19 vaccine jab.

1109: The occasion coincides with the Midlands provincial Covid 19 vaccine rollout campaign and hundreds of people have gathered from across the Midlands province have gathered at the hospital to witness the President getting his second shot.

1110: In attendance is Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and a number of other cabinet ministers among them Defence Minister Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Small to Medium Enterprise Minister, Sithembiso Nyoni, State Security Minister, Owen Ncube.

1117: Other members of the Political Actors Dialogue, (Polad ) including MDC-T leader, Mr Douglas Mwonzora are in attendance.

11:20: The programme has started with the national anthem. The Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Larry Mavima takes to the podium to give introductory remarks

1149: President now addresses the gathering before he takes his second SinoPharm vaccine jab.

1157: “The vaccination programme is part of my Government’s programme to ensure the economy gets back to normal with people going about their business. I am encouraged by the figures of around 300 000 people who have so far taken their first jabs.

” They are a critical tool in our battle against Covid-19. Vaccines help strengthen our immune system and create antibodies to fight diseases. Every Zimbabwean is called upon to quickly adapt to the new normal and new realities as we fight this war against Covid-19 together,” says President Mnangagwa.

1202: “I got my first Jab in Victoria Falls and it was deliberate because I wanted us to assure our tourists that we are ready for the vaccination and today the majority of Victoria Falls residents have received their jabs. And the rate of infections there has decreased.”

1203: “I came to the Midlands because I was not impressed by the figures of people from my province. So I have come to lead by example so that the people of Midlands can also get vaccinated but I’m happy in Sadc we have the lowest number of infections after Eswathini.”

1205:  “It shows you are following Covid-19 restrictions. We should not however be complacent, countries that have become reluctant are experiencing a sharp surge in new cases. We hear in winter we could experience a surge so we need to be vigilant.

“The trend in schools where there is a surge in new cases is worrying. Some schools did not follow our call for students to remain in school and these are the ones who were affected. Those schools which defied the call should be cautioned and I have ordered the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education to look into that.”

1210: “Government has not received any complications to those who have taken the vaccine but Government through the Ministry of Health and Child Care continue to gather factual information around the vaccines. The provision of affordable and quality health remains our priority and we have upgraded most of our central hospitals throughout the country.

“We have also released $21 million for the revamping of Kwekwe General Hospital. There is also a need to resuscitate our pharmaceutical industries. It’s encouraging that institutions of higher learning are also investing in traditional medicine.”

1215: “I would like to take this opportunity to applaud the population of Victoria Falls for heeding the call and get their jabs after I left the tourism resort town on 24 March 2021. I would like to call upon the people of the Midlands Province to also take this opportunity to get their jabs after me.”

1217: “We have also targeted our border towns so that we protect our people especially against imported cases. I believe no one is safe until everyone is safe so let’s all go out and get our vaccine shots,” says the President as he concludes his speech.

President Mnangagwa receives his second jab of the Sinopharm vaccine at Kwekwe General Hospital this afternoon

1230: President Mnangagwa has now received his second jab of the Sinopharm vaccine at Kwekwe General Hospital this afternoon.

1305: Senator Douglas Mwonzora who is also the leader of the opposition parties in parliament, giving a vote of thanks.

“We are here as political parties because it’s a national programme. We want to be in solidarity with the Government and President Mnangagwa in the fight against Covid 19 from various political persuasions.

“Our economy needs a renaissance and we can win together. Few Zimbabweans think of politics every day and the challenge to us as political leaders is to address this political polarisation together, politics of tolerance. You must love Zimbabwe more, our country begs us to show oneness in the fight against a common enemy.”